the cityhammer blog

Beating Summer in the City Blues: Some Tips on Cooling Off, Texas Style

2010-07-06T12:06:00.002-04:00

There's nothing quite like the sweltering trials and travails of a summer spent in the City. The buildings, city garbage, humidity and air pollution all conspire to give NYCers a constant heat-induced pain in the posterior.

Although I'm Texas born and bred, I've spent some time in the Big Apple during the worst of the hot weather, so I have a good indication of what it's like. But Texans experience heat on a more consistent and familiar level, and there are certain measures we take to keep us from going up in smoke from the summer blaze. Here are a few insider tips:

1. Drink some iced tea.

While a good beer, a bottle of water straight from the fridge, or chilled coffee are all great cool-off drinks, Texans usually gravitate toward iced tea. And with good reason--the combo of ice and the healthy and hydrating herbal drink make for the perfect heat beater. Consider other, more refreshing and rejuvenating varieties beyond black, like green or mint.

2. Cool it with the A/C use.

Using A/C is every Texan's most important survival skill, but as with any skill, it must be practiced carefully. CityHammer staff writer Mitch Mayer gave some great A/C tips previously, but here are a couple more things to try out. Consider purchasing some solid, quality plug in fans. While ceiling fans are great, they can only go so far. When you aren't spending time in your humble abode, shut off the A/C or put it on a higher setting. When you get home to sit and relax for a spell, place yourself strategically in front of said fans.

3. Take very hot showers as frequently as you can stand without wasting a bunch of water.

Sound counter intuitive? Although the first thing that you may want to do after sweating your butt off in your daily romp through NYC's labyrinthine streets is to take a cold shower, you'd just be shooting yourself in the foot. You'll get out to find that the temperature difference will put you back to square one. Take a hot shower, and the outside world will feel that much cooler once you're done.

4. Dress to decompress

Clothes are very important in keeping the summer heat in check. Although it may seem fairly self-evident, many forget this one very simple method to successfully stave off hot weather demons. Wear light colors, stick to airy cotton, and consider a good pair of versatile and not too beachy flip flops that you can wear outside the work environment.

These are just a few tried and true methods that we Texans have evolved to adapt to our less-than-perfect climate. Despite the cultural differences, there may just be something to learn from your friendly neighbors from the South.

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Jessica Cortez, who writes on the topics of online degree programs. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: cortez.jessi23@gmail.com.

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2010-04-14T13:35:00.001-04:00

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3 Home Improvement Tasks Where You Need a Handyman

2010-03-03T08:23:00.002-05:00

There was a time when DIY was a rage because it was the in thing to be able to remodel your home yourself – you not only saved yourself some money, you also had your DIY stories (both the good and the not-so-good experiences) to use as ice-breakers at a party. Today however, if you’re going to DIY, it’s more because you’re trying to save every penny you can because the economy is not really back to normal. However, you must remember that your endeavour to save money could end up boomeranging on you and you may have to spend much more trying to repair and redo botched up jobs.

I’m not questioning your DIY abilities; it’s just that there are some jobs that are just not advisable without a handyman, unless you’re a regular DIY guy who has home improvement experience under his/her belt. So before you put on your comfy overalls and pull out the stepladder, check out these home improvement/remodelling tasks that require you to call a handyman:

· Plumbing: It’s not really a dangerous job, but unless you’re familiar with your home’s plumbing network and have done plumbing jobs before, it’s best not to tackle this one on your own. You may have access to DIY information on how to unclog drains, replace your toilets, faucets, sinks, showerheads and basins in your bathroom, drain your home’s plumbing system, increase/decrease pressure to your pipes, repair leaky faucets and toilet flushes, and perform a hundred other plumbing tasks, but that is certainly no reason to be foolhardy and attempt to do these tasks yourself. You may end up flooding your home and ruining your possessions in the process if you’re not sure of what you’re doing, so call a handyman and get the job done easily and efficiently.

· Electricity: Now this a dangerous task because you could end up electrocuting yourself or other people if you’re careless. It’s easy to change a bulb, but when it comes to more complicated tasks like replacing plugs and cords, understanding service panels, testing and replacing switches, troubleshooting fuses, and bending and connecting conduits, you’re better off calling in qualified personnel to do the job.

· Flooring: While some forms of flooring are easy to redo or renovate, others require a professional touch. While linoleum floors and hardwood floors that are going to be carpeted are pretty much DIY choices, parquet and other complicated options require a handyman to be present. The professionals in the business prevent you from making a mess of things and having to redo your improvements from scratch and incurring additional costs in the process.
Even if you cannot afford the services of professionals for the above tasks, talk to qualified people before you DIY, or seek the help of friends and family members who have gone down the DIY road before and tasted success.

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Nicole Adams, she writes on the topic of construction management degrees . She welcomes your comments at her email id: nicole.adams83@gmail.com .

The Childproofing Challenge – Making the Kitchen Safe for Your Child

2010-02-23T15:56:00.002-05:00

No sooner does your child start to move and crawl that you start worrying about the many dangers that await him at every corner. The fact is that you should worry about these aspects much before your child actually starts to crawl. In fact childproofing is something that you need to think about before the child comes home. This is mainly because of the fact that once the baby comes home, you are not likely to have the time to do anything but to mind the baby and catch up on the sleep that seems so difficult.

Those who are childproofing for the first time find it extremely difficult to do so because they have no idea of the kind of trouble that a child can get into. Start with the nursery and move outwards, attacking the kitchen in the end because that is one area that will need your complete attention.

Childproofing the Cooking Area
The cooking area is the main place where there is a lot of danger that lurks around. There are hot surfaces that can be touched, pans with hot liquid that can be toppled over, cabinets with sharp knives and forks that can be accessed, open drawers that can be shut on little fingers and appliances that can be switched on by mistake. For starters make sure that all drawers and low cabinets have childproofing latches so that they cannot be opened.

You may want to leave a cabinet that contains harmless plastic stuff open for the child to explore as you cook in the kitchen but make sure that it does not shut easily to avoid accidents. It is good childproofing practice to use the back burners to avoid the warm surfaces being touched. Pans and pots in the burners should be turned towards the back so that they cannot be pulled. Getting hold of burner knob covers is a good idea because then your stove cannot be switched on by mistake. Appliances should never be left with the plug in the switch. A small movement of the hand can get them started and cause problems later.

Childproofing the Cleaning Area
The cleaning area or the sink also needs to be taken care of. Make sure that the sink is kept clean and that the dishwashing liquid, floor cleaners are not stored under the sink. These should be transferred to another over the head shelf. The garbage can should also be secured. Either you should get a lock for the trash can itself or you should get a cabinet latch for the below the sink cabinet itself. Ensure that the chemicals that you use for cleaning are also not stored in this area.
Other than these areas, the refrigerator should also be secured since it tends to has containers with food that can spill over when the refrigerator is opened without taking adequate care. If you do not have one that can be locked, you can get childproofing latches for the same.

Finding childproofing products that fit and work in your home can be difficult. There are almost too many choices that many busy parents just keep putting it off. The professionals at www.childproofingtips.com know how important it is that you have the accurate resources and information you need and have provided it all in one place. Now parents just like you can child proof their homes like a pro!

New and Approved Cityhammer Coming Soon!

2010-01-29T09:31:00.004-05:00

To all of our visitors and members. Sorry we haven't posted any new blogs in the month of January however we are working hard to get a new and approved cityhammer out. We will give you more information soon as we hope to be having all of the new improvements completed in the next couple of months. Stay tuned and we will see you soon.

Three New York Master Bathrooms

2009-12-23T05:43:00.004-05:00

image from New York Magazine

NYMag.com gives us an inside look at three incredible master bathroom renovations in New York. Along with a photo of each, we get the skinny on each piece and material used to create these stunning rooms.

In the picture above, for example, here's a quick idea of what is being used to get this look:

The Wish List: Smyth had to convert a very eighties slick black marble bathroom into something that felt like an open loft. The design started, literally, from the ground up. “When we walked into Paris Ceramics, Stormy fell in love with these reclaimed limestone tiles,” he says. She felt similarly passionate about the Agape “Spoon” bathtub they found at Moss.

The Solution: In contrast to the rest of the apartment, which has more extreme, deep colors, Smyth kept the bathroom neutral and warm. The tub went in the center, in part because it’s a showpiece, but also because that angle lets Byorum admire the East River views while reclining.

The bathroom above is in midtown east and was created by Michael Patrick Smith. For a list of NY bathroom designers, visit cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Source:

The Well-lived Tub - New York Magazine Great Bathrooms

The Return Of Remodeling - Nesting Trend Means More Business for Home Improvement Companies

2009-12-04T17:59:00.007-05:00

Home Improvement professionals were among the hardest hit people in this recession, but a new trend is starting to mean more business for this very group. That trend is called "Nesting" and its the opposite of the old Flipping trend.

From CNNMoney:

If flippers were the poster children of the real estate boom, then nesters are becoming the icons of the new housing market.
"We saw a nesting reaction after 9/11, but we're seeing a stronger nesting reaction now," said Bob Peterson, president of ABD Design/Build in Ft. Collins Colo. People who have the money are fixing up what they have."
A proportionally bigger share of the home construction dollar -- 20% more during the first three quarters of 2009 compared with the same period last year -- now goes to home improvements, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In October, remodeling spending increased 8.7% compared with September to an annualized rate of $114 billion.

For New York General Contractors and Interior Designers, this is a very good sign indeed.

Sources:

Remodeling Activity on the Rise (CNNMoney)

New York's Best New Buildings of the Decade

2009-11-18T18:25:00.005-05:00

This is really cool...

NY construction and real estate blog Curbed just posted the ten best new buildings in NYC over the past decade, which is rapidly coming to a close.

Our fave is seen in the above picture. Its the New Museum down on the lower east side.

Visit Curbed to see 'em all.

The Best New Buildings of the Decade (Curbed)

Visit cityhammer.com for a list of New York Builders and Architects

Home Improvement in Westchester NY

2009-10-30T11:46:00.003-04:00

If you're in the Westchester County area, be sure to check out this weekend's 5th Annual Fall Westchester County Home Show in White Plains, NY.

Here are the details:

The 5th annual Fall Westchester County Home Show, Oct, 31-Nov. 1, offers over
150 displays of the very best home improvement companies in the Metro area,
attracting attendees from the suburbs to the city.The event is one of Jenks
Productions newest regional home shows. Located at the Westchester County Center
in prestigious White Plains, NY, this home show boasts an elite attendance from
one of the wealthiest enclaves in the metropolitan area. With New York City just
a stone's throw away, the home show offers a diverse array of products and
services, with a metro flair. Featuring local, state and national exhibitors,
who will present innovative and imaginative displays.

Ome interesting aspect of the show this year is the possibility to qualify for energy efficiency tax savings:

Earlier this year, the federal government passed the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (a.k.a. the Economic Recovery Act) to help rebuild the
economy. Homeowners can now qualify for expanded tax credits on
energy-efficiency improvements with the deadline for applying extended through
the end of 2010.

In the meantime, visit cityhammer.com for a list of Westchester NY Remodeling Companies.

October Design Links for New Yorkers

2009-10-22T07:01:00.007-04:00

Here's a trio of great design links for New York homeowners and renters alike to enjoy...

A work-from-home mom teams up with a designer to update her Gramercy Park digs. It doesn't start of pretty, but eventually, they get the job done.
Redecorating isn't always pretty (NYT)

There's nothing quite like a stainless-steel sink to grab the eye and really give your kitchen a bit of sparkle. Remodelista shows us ten drop-dead versions.
10 Easy Pieces - Stainless Sinks (Remodelista)

What is a Winter Palette? Think white furniture with wood floors and accents. Apartment Therapy has a great gallery up to show this concept off.
White Plus Wood - The Cozy Side of a Winter Palette (AT)

For professional help from a New York Interior Designer to get these looks, visit cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Window Treatment Tips for New Yorkers

2009-10-15T09:01:00.003-04:00

Window Treatment by Tocar

You're going to be spending more time at home as he weather turns colder and the hours of sunlight begin to diminish, so why not consider a revamp of your window treatment situation?

Apartment Therapy has a great set of before and after shots from design firm Tocar...

From AT:

The treatments in the room pictured above are most effective.
What was once
divided with a center panel is now treated as one large window
opening with
drapes flanking each side. They're hung higher than before,
giving a real sense
of size and openness to the room. These treatments
practically create an
entirely new architectural detail all on their own.

Here's a list of some of the highest rated New York window treatment companies.

Check out the pics and detailed descriptions at AT: Window Treatment Before and After.

Design Hunting with NY Mag's Wendy Goodman

2009-10-08T09:13:00.002-04:00

Get on over to New York Magazine for their latest Design Hunting feature and the accompanying slideshow:

From NY Mag:
After taking some time off to work on her book about the
glamorous Gloria Vanderbilt, our design editor Wendy Goodman resumes her
tireless treks in search of great style. This week, she finds the collected
design books of the great Albert Hadley, has a $29 lunch — with wine, of course
— at the elegant La Grenouille, and eats a candelit Fashion Week dinner with
Simon Doonan and Anya Hindmarch.

The piece offers some great inspiration and design ideas for the home or apartment dweller who finds themselves in a decorating rut.

For a list of rated and reviewed NYC Interior Designers, visit cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

The Hedge Fund Manager Versus the New York Moving Company

2009-10-01T07:08:00.003-04:00

Even the wealthiest sometimes have trouble with their moves, apparently.

Cityfile picked up this story about a hedge fund manager now being pursued by the New York moving company he used for almost $100,000 in money they claim he still owes them from a recent move.

From Cityfile:
Hedge fund mogul Dan Loeb paid $45 million for one of the city's poshest apartments last year, a 10,000-square-foot penthouse at 15 Central Park West. His move-in, however, didn't go so smoothly, it seems. It's unclear what took place precisely, but the moving company that Loeb and his wife Margaret hired to help them settle in, Auer's Moving & Rigging, filed a lawsuit against the couple in Manhattan Supreme Court earlier this year claiming breach of contract. (Panorama on the Park LLC, which is also listed as a defendant, is the company Loeb set up to acquire the property.) The high-end moving company is demanding that Loeb cough up the $98,689.07 which it says it's owed. Last week, though, an attorney for the Loebs responded to the suit by filing a motion to dismiss.

The reason for the dispute is as yet unknown but given the high profile nature of the people involved, it seems as though we'll hear more soon.

For a list of New York Movers with ratings and reviews, visit cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory!

Full Story: Dan Loeb Makes His Move (Cityfile)

New York Interior Designers Celebrate Elle Decor

2009-09-24T06:58:00.004-04:00

It was one of the biggest events of the year for New York interior designers and it all went down on Tuesday night at Bergdorf's.

From the New York Times:
Elle Décor, the unstuffy, vaguely urban interior design magazine, is 20 years old next month; the evening’s party was in honor of that birthday, a particularly important one given that during those two decades, its competitor House & Garden folded, was resurrected and folded again, and the ingénue-competitor Domino was shuttered last January. So the night was a bit of a victory lap: In a year of dismal numbers, Elle Décor had inched ahead of the shelter behemoth Architectural Digest (now the only decorating magazine in the Condé Nast stable) to hold the No. 1 spot in the shelter category. It was a heady feeling, Ms. Russell had said earlier.

Elle Decor has come along way and interior designers descended upon Manhattan to recognize the design mag and to meet Margaret Russell, author of the new Best Of coffee table book that shows off some of its best work.

Full Article:

The Design Universe Lines Up at Bergdorf's (NYT)

For a list of Manhattan Interior Designers:

Manhattan Interior Designers

Interior Designers Inspired by Craigslist?

2009-09-16T06:55:00.002-04:00

This story perfectly encapsulates the struggle going on between the design-conscious homeowner's unceasing desire for pleasant surroundings and the sorry state of his or her finances in 2009.

Not content with wallowing in self pity and hopelessness, designers are increasingly turning to internet resources where bargains are to be found for aesthetic elements and furnishings, according to the Baltimore Sun:

Interior designers nationwide are increasingly turning to unique, low-cost and unexpected sources -- including Craigslist, estate sales and Target Corp. -- to create high design on a dime and generate business as recession-weary homeowners scale back their decor ambitions. The result: less expensive and eco-friendly rooms that reflect their owners' personalities rather than cloning catalog or magazine pictures.

Call it creative survival.

Don't give up people. Where there's a will for fresh interior design, there's a way!

Full Article:

Craigslist and eBay Become Interior Design Muses (BaltimoreSun)

September NYC Design Links

2009-09-09T06:59:00.003-04:00

If you're like us, you're getting prepared (at least mentally) for the annual switching of the clothing, taking out the heavier fall and winter stuff whilst organizing and storing the summer stuff. Well if so, you're in luck, because the New York Times just went shopping with Ann Sullivan, a leading New York Closet Organizer, and in the article, she highlights exactly what you'll need to get your home organized and ready for the new season.
Shopping with Ann Sullivan (NYT)

When designing a New York City apartment, one of the most interesting aspects you can play with in terms of shape, color and texture, is the headboard behind your bed. HGTV posted a cool gallery of really out-there headboards for your viewing pleasure.
No Run Of The Mill Headboards Here (HGTV)

Now this is cool...solid wood flooring by Waldilla - with curves! If you're looking for an exciting new style of wood flooring in NY, you could do worse than this product, featured on Apartment Therapy today. This one will really elicit a great response upon your guests' noticing it.
Curved Wood Floor (AT)

As Credit Dries Up, Homeowners Tackle Smaller Home Improvement Projects

2009-08-26T06:57:00.003-04:00

Home Depot in Brooklyn (image by Jim in Times Square)

The New York Times wrote a piece this week about how homeowners, unable to run up credit or uncomfortable with beginning large scale renovations, are instead tackling the smaller projects that help them maintain their homes.

Here at cityhammer, we've heard just about the same type of story anecdotally, from both users of the site and from remodeling companies in the New York area.

From the New York Times:
In prerecession days, home improvement projects were usually grand, expensive overhauls of kitchens and bathrooms.

In this economy, home improvement projects consist of painting the walls and replacing the jiggly toilet handle.

It's nice that Wall Street seems to be turning around, but Main Street is still very much concerned about when the jobs may come back and this caution is manifesting itself in the types of home improvement projects that homeowners are choosing to initiate.

Another facet of this trend is the urge to do-it-yourself, as Home Depot and Lowes stock up their hardware and paint departments for those who want to save money by handling handyman tasks and painting projects on their own.

Lowe’s has added more staff to popular do-it-yourself departments, like paint and hardware. Home Depot also beefed up its paint department, adding new products like an all-in-one paint and primer, and a Rust-Oleum paint variety that promises to cover more surface area for the money.

Home improvement companies, however, are also offering specials, so before you bite off a project that may be more than you chew, be sure to visit cityhammer.com and consult a few of New York's top remodeling pro's.

Sources:

Home Improvement Chains Adjust (NYT)

Design Links for New Yorkers

2009-08-13T05:40:00.012-04:00

First up, get a load of the Chelsea, NYC office space of design team William Cummings and Bernt Heiberg in the most recent issue of New York Spaces. The pair decorate with clean lines and a flair for history. For more great pics of home and office, click here: (NY Spaces)

Here's the minimalist New York loft apartment of Melissa O'Rorke, seen on Remodelista. Speaking of Remodelista, their beta site is currently in preview, click here for the loft pics: (Remodelista)

How do you make an apartment feel less "dark and heavy"? The question comes in from Apartment Therapy, but is something that all New Yorkers can relate to as well (or most). For some answers, click here: (Apartment Therapy)

For NY Designers who can help you, visit New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, cityhammer.com:

NY Interior Designers

A Quick Primer on New York Babyproofing

2009-08-04T07:03:00.003-04:00

There's a lot of information out there to digest when embarking on a baby proofing project in New York. For that reason, today we bring you a quick primer on the subject. Enjoy these baby proofing and child proofing tips and please let us know if there are aspects of this subject that we have not covered.

New York Baby-Proofing Companies

Baby Proofing Your Home

Parents have the obligation to make the environment as safe and happy for baby as possible. Baby proofing is not a simple thing but you must do it before the baby can roll over or crawl. You can hire professional baby proofing people but it is also possible to do it yourself with a little ingenuity and by looking at the safety section of baby care stores. The internet is also another place to look for baby proofing items. Start by getting down ground level and seeing what the baby sees.

Around the House Safety

All rooms in a house should be safe enough for baby to play in. If you can’t child proof a room, enclose it with a child safety gate so baby can’t get in. Use doorknob covers to keep a room that has a door out of reach of baby’s hands. Remove all of the rubber stoppers off of the doorstops because they can be taken off and choked on. Place padding around tables and other sharp furniture so baby doesn’t hit its head on the corners of them. Purchase a playpen to put baby in when you can’t watch him at all times. Secure exterior doors by putting a doorknob cover on the inside of the door.

Stairs

Child safety gates belong at the top and bottom of all stairs in your house. Use hardware-mounted chairs because pressure safety gates are insufficient to protect baby. The slats should be no further apart than about three inches so baby cannot get his head stuck in them.

Cords/Outlets

Babies can easily put wet fingers and metallic objects in the holes of outlets so keep them covered with switch plates with sliders on them or use large plastic plugs to block the outlet holes. Tape down all electrical cords that might strangle baby.

Nursery Safety

Keep the crib far from cords on blinds, lamps or curtains. Keep the crib free of blankets, pillows or stuffed animals that can carry a suffocation risk. Keep all heavy and/or tall furniture bolted to the wall so that it cannot be pulled down on baby. Keep baby lotions, medications or ointments out of the reach of baby.

Window Safety

Toddlers, especially, can open up windows so you should put in protective devices that keep windows from opening more than four inches in height. Screens do not protect toddlers from falling out so you cannot count on them. Get rid of any blind cords or curtain cords that can easily strangle a child.

Kitchen Safety

Babies often play when you’re cooking. You need to put latches on all drawers and cabinet covers so that the baby cannot get into these items. Keep cleaning products, toxic chemicals and pesticides up and out of the way. Use a refrigerator safety latch so baby cannot get into the refrigerator and use stove knob covers so baby cannot turn on the stove or oven.

Bathroom

Use a special toilet lock so that baby cannot drown in the toilet water. In the tub, use non-slip runners so nobody slips in the bathtub when it is wet.

Can New Yorkers Survive Without AC?

2009-07-28T07:05:00.003-04:00

There's an article in the New York Times that even just 18 months ago would have been considered ludicrous. It's about whether or not air conditioning is just luxury that people could learn to do without.

TO many Americans, abstaining from air-conditioning is a masochistic folly akin to refusing Novocain or renouncing the dishwasher.
Yet as this particular summer finally heats up, even citizens who believe that climate control is a God-given right may be questioning whether it has become a luxury they can no longer afford. They are probably also wondering how they can survive without it.

The fact that we're at the point where we're asking this question out loud represents a major regression for our society, and no, it doesn't make us feel better that the Allies won WWII without AC, which the writer unhelpfully points out.

If you have no choice, I suppose you copuld survive a summer in NYC without AC, but if it's between chilled air and, say, taking taxis everywhere, you may want to start walking!

Here's a list of New York Air Conditioning Companies who can help you install, maintain or repair an ac system or unit.

And here are some Tips on Air Conditioning in New York from cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Full Article:

The Unchilled Life (NYT)

Major Long Island Contractor Scam Busted: NY Post

2009-07-22T07:06:00.003-04:00

This is big news and every homeowner on Long Island needs to be aware of how many unlicensed contractors are out there, just lining up to take money and not fulfill the work contracted.

From the New York Post:

Nearly four dozen unlicensed Long Island contractors were more skilled at pulling in thousands of dollars for jobs -- than actually doing the work, officials said today.

Nassau DA Kathleen Rice announced the results of a 5-week investigation, including the running of a "Sting House" to lure a dozen unlicensed contractors in and capture them on video.

The way many of the scams worked, homeowners were told to fork over cash in advance, and in some cases, demolition work had begun. Shortly after, the contracting company would stop showing up, leaving the customer with a partially destroyed home and no idea what to do next.

cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory urges Long Island homeowners in need of renovations to heed the words of Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice:

"When you hire an unlicensed contractor, you're rolling the dice."

For a list of qualified home improvement pro's and general contractors on Long Island with licensing information available, click the links below:

Nassau County General Contractors

Suffolk County General Contractors

Full Article:

Contractors on LI Scam Busted (NYP)

Green Building Materials for New York General Contractors

2009-07-15T09:23:00.003-04:00

Photo from PSFK

So The Green Depot just opened a store on the Bowery in Manhattan to showcase the best and most functional green building products and materials to New York General Contractors and homeowners.

The Green Depot is based in Brooklyn, NY and is already well established as a nationwide supplier of eco-friendly materials for construction and renovation. The Daily News just gave their new store a write-up this week:

Located at 222 Bowery between Prince and Spring Sts., the 3,500-square-foot
store contains hundreds of premium products, including a host of private label
and exclusive product lines. Addressing a growing need for affordable,
accessible, "green" products, the Bowery store marks the premiere of the
company`s proprietary product labeling system, developed to help consumers
navigate the changing landscape of green products through the use of a simple
icon system. The icon system is designed to clarify how and why a product can
claim it is "green", based upon five simple categories: air quality,
conservation, local, energy and responsibility.

What kind of stuff will you find at the store?

* Hundreds of premium products, including high-quality, appealing private
label lines developed via local manufacturing partnerships, in categories such
as cleaning, baby, and zero-VOC paint.

* Exclusive artist series featuring limited editions of inspired
sustainable design solutions developed by talented home designers.

* A resource and design center where trained Green Depot staff work with
customers to find green building materials that are cost-efficient and easily
adaptable into their construction or renovation projects.

* The first and only zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint bar in New
York City.

* A baby section that empowers new mothers with the basic tools and
knowledge to design and build a healthy environment for their children.

* A "Found" section, where the most innovative new green products are
displayed for purchase, along with select vintage and salvaged items.

This sounds really cool, we'll be checking the store out asap.

Find General Contractors in Manhattan

Full Story:

The Green Depot (Daily News)

Organizing Clutter in New York

2009-07-08T07:05:00.005-04:00

Closet by cityhammer.com member Creative Space Management of NJ

Tina Traster's excellent Burb Appeal column in the New York Post continues this week with the transplanted New Yorker giving us an idea of how she keeps her family's new home in Rockland County, a restored 1800's farmhouse, clutter-free and organized.

I designed the bathrooms with pedestal sinks rather than vanities (everyone knows vanities are the black hole for hotel soaps and cosmetic samples). The Mission-style furniture I chose evokes spare, clean lines. For the windows, I opted for simple blinds rather than curtains. The crawl-space basement, which is mildew paradise, is not even an option for storage.

Everything has its place. The remote controls live in drawers. My house keys dwell in a ceramic bowl. My husband has a small rattan box for his bits and pieces.

When someone in my family asks, "Where are my hiking shoes?" the refrain is the same: "They are where they always are." Meaning, at the bottom of the closet in the laundry room where they are supposed to be.

Getting organized in New York, Rockland County, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Brooklyn or Queens doesn't have to be a guessing game. Just bring in a NY Closet Company and within days of the job's completion, you'll feel relieved of the need to figure out where to put your stuff.

For a list of some of the top-rated NY area closet designers, visit cityhammer.com: NY Closet Designer

Read the rest of the column here: Burb Appeal: Clutter Be Gone (NYP)

Design Finds Under 100 Bucks at AD

2009-07-01T06:58:00.002-04:00

The Cabin House birdhouse by Louisville Stoneware ($85)

In times like these, adding to or changing the decor of your apartment can seem like a trifling task for many, as the national unemployment rate creeps above 10%.

Top-Rated NY Decorator Companies

But for design freaks, this is exactly the moment when you should be thinking about making some adjustments to your surroundings to shake off the dust of yesterday and move forward. New design and decor items do not necessarily have to cost a fortune but can go a long way toward making your home feel livened up and different, yet somehow the same.

Architectural Digest did the heavy lifting for us and found a bunch of cool design items that cost under 100 bucks, collected in a slide show gallery over at their website.

Here's the gallery: AD Design Finds Under $100

NYC Apartment Architecture for Him and Her

2009-06-24T06:58:00.003-04:00

Image from Fred Conrad/ NYT

We love this quote from an article in today's New York Times Home & Garden section:

“Architecture is a negotiation between a husband and wife,” said Makram el Kadi, who designed the loft.

The story is about a couple, the Greene's, who both have very different aesthetics (She's Zen, he's Victorian) but were able to design the perfect living situation by being creative with rolling walls, cabinetry and closets. Despite the fact that Jeffrey Greene has a collection of about 200 musical instruments, they were able to work with a New York designers to create a perfect living space that accommodates both of their tastes and sensibilities in the SoHo loft they live in.

One design decision reflects a compromise of sorts: the music room can be enlarged or compressed as needed. The rear wall of the room is hung on a track system and can roll farther back in the bedroom to open up the loft for a party of 100, or, if Mr. Greene wants, an area for performances.

The full article is worth checking out, especially if you and a spouse or roomate are sharing a space in New York but not necessarily the same taste in decor.

Also, don't miss the attached slide show, with 12 great photos of the space by Fred Conrad.

Closeting the Arguments (NYT)

Greene's Loft Slide Show

Crate & Barrel Giving it Away

2009-06-15T06:59:00.005-04:00

Sales abound as we head into the summer, and picking up small touches for decoration can certainly make life easier on your wallet. The big chain stores are giving it away right now, here are a few quick examples:

Pottery Barn needs to move outdoor and patio furniture and they need to move it now. Check out their 20% sale here: Pottery Barn Sale

Is there anything better than a 50% off sale? Crate & Barrel has tons of select items right now that are half off, check it our here: Crate & Barrel Sale

And if you're a Crate & Barrel fan but your taste skews more toward modern design, check out their sister store, CB2, which is also running a 50% select items sale. We like the Warehouse Sconces (above), currently selling for $49.95, down from about $70. See all sale items here: CB2 Sale

The New York CB2 Store is located in SoHo at:

451 broadway
(between canal and grand)
new york, NY 10013
212.219.1454

Happy Shopping!

Bored With Your Home Decor? Add Something Unexpected This Summer

2009-06-03T06:45:00.003-04:00

Leif.designpark’s Tone Chairs on New York Spaces' Statements

Dear cityhammer blog,
I find myself slipping into the usual summer doldrums completely bored with my apartment. I already have fairly new furnigture and I certainly can't afford a remodel of the whole place. What can I do to add a little excitement to my home?

Allie on W 12th Street

Hey Allie,
Never fear, sometimes a drastic remodel is ill-advised, whether you can afford it or not. Some of our decorators believe that by bringing in a new piece of interesting furniture or some great accessories, you can transform your living space overnight.

Color Forms Gallery (NYT Mag)

New York Spaces magazine also does a pretty good job of keeping an updated online gallery of objects and home accessories on their site.

Statements (New York Spaces)

If you're still stumped, don't be shy about reaching out to a New York Interior Decorator on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Good luck!

cityhammer.com

New York Dishwasher Help and Repair

2009-05-27T07:05:00.004-04:00

Dishwashers are expensive, so attempting to repair one is usually your best bet, especially if the unit is less than 7 years old. There are plumbing components to dishwashers as well as electrical aspects, so hiring a qualified dishwasher repairman in New York is very important.

Our fave column of the week, The Fix from the New York Times, discusses common issues with dishwashers this week. The discussion is centered around a question for homeowners as old as time itself: "Why isn't my dishwasher washing dishes?"

Some of the answers to this basic question may surprise you. For example, did you know that pre-washing dishes can actually do more harm than good?

According to Mike Edwards, a senior dishwasher design engineer at BSH Home Appliances in New Bern, N.C.: “Dishwasher detergent aggressively goes after food,” Mr. Edwards said, “and if you don’t have food soil in the unit, it attacks the glasses, and they get cloudy,” a process known as etching that can cause permanent damage.

Other tips include not using the pots and pans cycle and the reason for using proper amount of detergent.

Find Appliance Repair in New York on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Read the rest of the article on the New York Times: The Fix - Dishwashers

NY Mag: Spring Design 2009

2009-05-20T06:59:00.003-04:00

Design by Commonwealth (Photo from NYMag)

We just finished processing New York Magazine's annual design issue and, like every year, it is filled with interesting and cutting edge edge work from some of the best NYC interior designers working today.

Featured in the spread are the apartments of artists, fashion designers other New Yorkers who both live and work in their space here in New York. Our favorite was the Brooklyn's Future Perfect owner David Alhadeff for it's sheer madness in color choice.

The whole issue is worth a look for both casual decor browsers and interior design professionals.

Check it out here: Spring 2009 Design (NYMAG)

BHG's Tips for Hidden Bathroom Storage Ideas

2009-05-11T06:59:00.002-04:00

Better Homes and Gardens has a fully-loaded site in terms of tips and galleries to inspire you for pretty much any home improvement of redesign project you could think of.

There is a special feature on the site today that highlights hidden storage ideas for your bathroom that's definitely worth a look, and many of the ideas are remarkably simple and relatively inexpensive to pull off.

The feature show you how to carve out a tiled niche in the shower, add turntables to the inside of cabinets, add gliding drawers or a vanity iron board and disguise medicine chests.

New York is filled with great bathroom remodeling pro's who can help you get that extra storage advantage in the bathroom. For a list of these service providers in your town or borough, click here.

To check out BHG's bathroom storage feature, visit BHG.com.

Member Spotlight: Strata-Tek

2009-05-04T06:49:00.004-04:00

Now more than ever, New York and New Jersey residents need to be sure they have a go-to solutions provider for flooding, leakage, poor drainage systems and other issues that can be caused by water or sewers.

We're pleased to introduce the newest member of cityhammer.com, Strata-Tek LLC, based in West Babylon, NY and serving the entire Tri-State Area.

The professionals at Strata-Tek LLC have over 40 years of experience in residential waterproofing for both new and existing structures. We specialize in the installation of home drainage systems and sump pumps; foundation and crack repair; basement remodeling and refinishing; and dehumidifiers, carpet underlayment, window wells as well as egress windows.

To contact Strata-Tek, visit their cityhammer.com profile here: Strata-Tek

You can also call them toll-free at (866) 787-2829.

Strata-Tek's website is found at www.strata-tek.net

Unlicensed Designers Free in Another State

2009-04-27T07:04:00.003-04:00

In a landmark state court decision in the state of Texas, last week the fifth circuit court decided that interior designers and decorators DO NOT need a license to refer to themselves as interior designers or decorators when advertising to the public.

We discussed this issue last year during a flap over the issue in Connecticut, see that post here: CT Interior Designers Wage Title Fight

The crux of the court's argument is that the language used by designers to explain what they do is not inherently misleading, as their trade name is exactly the service that they provide.

Below are the details of the decision (excerpt from the Volokh Conspiracy):

The State advances a circular argument that the speech inherently tends to mislead consumers. It runs: Texas created a licensing regime; therefore, unlicensed interior designers who refer to themselves as interior designers will confuse consumers who will expect them to be licensed. The descriptive terms “interior designer” and “interior design” are not, however, inherently misleading. They merely describe a person’s trade or business. The terms can be employed deceptively, for example if a person does not actually practice interior design, but the speech is neither actually nor inherently misleading. This argument also proves too much, as it would authorize legislatures to license speech and reduce its constitutional protection by means of the licensing alone.

The State next relies on two pieces of evidence to prove that unlicensed interior designers who use the title are engaged in misleading speech. The district court correctly rejected both proffers. The State offers a survey that asked irrelevant questions concerning the respondents’ general preferences for “licensed” professionals. The survey included five substantive questions and seventeen demographic questions. The only question even arguably relevant to whether the job title “interior designer” is misleading was, “if there were two professionals offering the same service, one with a license, and one without a license, do you think that it is deceptive or misleading or both that the licensed and unlicensed person can use the exact same professional title?” Unfortunately, because no definition of the qualifications of the “licensed” professional was included, no probative value can be attached to the responses. We are also unable to attribute probative value to a legislative report, prepared three years before the statutes here at issue were passed, finding that some people are confused about what type of services interior designers provide and marshalling comments for and against licensing these occupations. Significantly, the legislative committee that authored the report made no suggestions for legislation of any kind.

Both the survey and the legislative report expose the fallacy in the State’s effort to characterize certain interior designers’ professional practices as misleading. There is no fixed definition of the covered occupations. Interior designers may confine their work to harmonizing color schemes and selecting furnishings for private residences; or they may design the physical layout of commercial spaces, including aesthetic, functional and safety attributes; or they may furnish services on a wide spectrum between these alternatives. Where no fixed definition of the services exists, there can hardly be a claim that the public is being misled about particular individuals’ truthfully expressed level of expertise or services. The State has offered no evidence that the public has actually been misled about interior design services.

Source: The Volokh Conspriracy April 09 Archives

Long Island Fencing and Gardening Help

2009-04-21T06:55:00.004-04:00

Living in the 'burbs certainly has its perks, one of which is gardening and growing your own veggies. Right around this time of year is when you want to start getting your seeds in the ground. There are few important things you'll need besides the seeds, one is good soil, another is water, but the third is something many people don't think about until its too late; you need a good fence.

Wildlife is everywhere on Long Island and if your garden is left unguarded, your plants will be consumed.

In today's New York Times, there is a great article on protecting your New York garden with fences that we thought we'd pass on to the horticulturally-inclined.

It’s a helpful corollary to the paramount 21st-century horticultural imperative: I garden, therefore I fence.

The story is filled with anecdotes from your friends and neighbors which highlight the necessities when building and protecting a garden.

Learning wildlife habits has since sharpened our defensive tactics. We now know that rodent types can push their flat skulls into improbably slim spots, so any new fencing is of finer-gauge chicken or rat wire, or dense plastic netting. White-tailed deer have landing and enclosure anxiety: they won’t leap even a three- or four-foot fence if there is an obstacle or another row of fencing a few feet before or beyond it. Thus some people dare to surround their veggie patches with handsome picket or willow fences, and then string two or three strands of low trip wire fences outside them.

If you're going to grow this year, get smart about fencing options and check this story out.

Click Here For Fence Installers in New York

Read The Art of Fencing (NYT)

Are New York Handymen Recession Winners?

2009-04-13T07:40:00.004-04:00

A cityhammer.com member was profiled on The Business Insider the other day and the gist of the article was that Handyman Services are in more demand during these tough economic times, not less.

From TBI:
This afternoon we placed a call to Richard Shogun, the founder of Spotless Services, a Manhattan-area cleaning and handyman service to gauge the temperature of that business.
Not surprisingly, says Shogun, cleaning services are down. People have more time on their hands or they're saving money. But handyman services are "more than offsetting" that loss. He's even had to hire 2 or 3 extra handymen to make up for the endless volume of leads he's been able to generate through internet, lead-gen advertising. The handyman, he says, are "busy almost every day."

We were very pleased to hear this upbeat assessment from a New York handyman company. Spotless Services has been listed on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, for over a year and currently offers all types of services to the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens areas.

For Spotless Services' full profile, click here: NYC Handyman

For the complete list of handyman companies in the area, click here: New York Handyman

Full Article: Recession Winner: The Handyman

NY Design Links: Brownstone, Tool Shopping and Upper West Side Remodel

2009-04-06T07:40:00.004-04:00

Interior By Another Look Interior Design, serving Manhattan and Brooklyn

Apartment Therapy's got a great house tour in a Clinton Hill, Brooklyn brownstone with nice bones. The furniture chosen to decorate the home is low and simple, giving the eye a chance to take in all of the features and curves of the building itself.

Find Brooklyn Remodelers Here

In New York Spaces magazine, designer Vicente Wolf shows off a transformational interior design project on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The pre-war apartment had some natural flaws, such as rooms that were small and dark and a complicated entryway. Wolf gave the the apartment a makeover and included an old-meets-news aesthetic with well-chosen colors and sculpture.

Find Manhattan Interior Designers Here

The New York Times goes shopping for tools and hardware with Canadian actress and do-it-yourself TV host Mag Ruffman. Ruffman also runs Toolgirl.com and is said to have a massive collection of hammers! Here, she picks a Komelon tape measure, a pair of Irwin Vise-Grip pliers and a Mintcraft 11-piece ratchet screwdriver set. Here's the interactive gallery to see her tool picks.

Find NY General Contractors Here

New York Times Goes Shopping for Lighting

2009-03-30T06:58:00.004-04:00

Beahm Pick: Battery-Run LED Candles from Restoration Hardware

For those of you who haven't heard of David Beahm, he's an event designer who has planned the look and aesthetic feel of many of the biggest galas and parties in New York.

At the opening of the Plaza Hotel’s renovated grand ballroom last year, he bathed the space in a purple glow, hanging a mobile of crystal, glass and orchids, and directing a spotlight to splash shadows against the ceiling.

He is also known for his interesting use of lighting, especially candlelight.

One of Mr. Beahm’s favorite forms of lighting is the humble candle. For safety reasons, candles weren’t allowed at the Diffa event, he said, although candlelight “makes everyone look beautiful, and if people feel like they look nice, they’re going to have a good time.”

The New York Times recently went shopping with Mr. Beahm, hitting up antique and design stores in Greenwich, Connecticut along with Restoration Hardware. There is an accompanying multi-media piecewith the article to show off 9 of the best lighting items they came across.

Full article: Shopping with David Beahm

Multi-Media: 9 Lighting Objects

To achieve these looks for your own home or apartment, here are cityhammer.com's New York Lighting Companies.

Cheap Remodeling Projects from Better Homes & Gardens

2009-03-23T06:24:00.003-04:00

BHG says to make space multi-functional, like this example of design and storage

Everyone in New York is cost-conscious and trying to be smarter about their money these days. This extends to pretty much every aspect of life and home improvement spending is no different.

That said, Better Homes & Gardens has put together a slide show featuring low-cost architectural touches that can make a big difference for your home even if you're on a tight budget. These updates add value as well, which is helpful if you plan to sell your home or you can see this possibility coming.

Among the 10 ideas in the article, you'll see ceramic tile updates, a wainscoting shortcut, carpeting for the master suite in lieu of hardwood floors and an idea for varied lighting fixtures.

On cityhammer.com, you can find NY Interior Designers and General Contractors to help you achieve these looks and put these ideas to work in your house or apartment.

Read the full article here: BHG on Low-Cost Remodeling Projects

Spring Cleaning with ThreadBanger

2009-03-16T06:48:00.004-04:00

Last April, ThreadBanger posted a funny and informative video full of Spring Cleaning and organization tips for apartment dwellers. I thought it was definitely worth a re-post.

One of the items on the list was installing blinds which let you enjoy a more restful sleep. There are tons of Window Treatment companies in New York, so this project should be pretty easy to get started with, just in time for the longer daylight hours.

Enjoy!

Visit ThreadBanger

ABC Home is Serious About Changing How We Shop

2009-03-09T08:01:00.004-04:00

Paulette Cole, the founder of ABC Home is serious about her company's green sourcing initiative, unlike many of the retailers and home furnishing companies who have only claimed to be eco-sensitive.

Every time we buy something for our homes, we have a chance to invest positively in the planet,” observes Paulette Cole. “That gives retailers an enormous opportunity—and responsibility—to influence the earth and its people for the better.”

The above is a quote from the most recent issue of NY Spaces magazine. According to the article:

Wood is reclaimed or harvested from responsibly managed forests; organic fibers and feathers are used in chemical-free upholstery; and a well-curated collection of vintage and artisan-made accessories fosters a connection to cultures around the globe.

Now that the national focus is on whether or not consumers will even show up at the store, its nice to see that someone is still taking their green initiative seriously and is not letting the economy stateside be an excuse to cut corners in merchandising.

Read the full story here: ABC Home in NY Spaces

Here's a list of New York Interior Designers

CNN's Campbell Brown Versus the Mold in New York

2009-03-02T07:09:00.005-05:00

Campbell Brown: Mold Warrior

Hope everyone got out from under the 63 million inches of snow we woke up to this morning...

There was an interesting article in the Daily News he other day that really illustrates how dangerous mold in the home can be to your family's health and it happened to involve a celebrity, which helped it get serious attention.

Campbell Brown, an anchorwoman on CNN and 11 year veteran of NBC News, went for weeks without a rational explanation for her newborn baby's illness:

Last September, her son, Eli James (now 14 months old), developed a cold that wouldn't end.

"It was crazy to me," Brown said. "The doctors couldn't figure it out. I would get home at 9:30 or 10, and he would wake himself up with these horrible coughing attacks."

But Brown noticed two days into a trip to Florida, the symptoms stopped.

Later, she spotted something on the wall of their apartment that looked odd. After some research, she was convinced it was mold - and her son was showing the symptoms of exposure.

Mold specialists confirmed her findings and had them leave. Once they were out, her son immediately got better.

"It was the not knowing - and as a mother, to know something's wrong with your child, you instinctively feel, this wasn't right," she said. "Finding out, there was a great sense of relief."

Campbell was told to "get your baby and get out," and she realizes how fortunate she is that she has the wherewithal to do that financially. She's been at a hotel since January with some of her belongings and husband Dan Senor.

Listen up New Yorkers, we have a fantastic community of abatement and environmental specialists here in our area, use them!

Click here for a list of environmental and mold companies in New York

Full Story: Campbell Brown in the Daily News

Barrons: The Manhatan Luxury Market is Rotting

2009-02-24T06:58:00.003-05:00

I know, I know, you don't live in a cave. Fair enough, we all know how bad the real estate market is, but the Barron's article by Leslie P. Norton is interesting because we get some anecdotes and details from the front lines of the luxury tier of the condo/ rental business...you know, the luxury tier that we were told would be just fine.

In this particular economy, Barron's makes the case that the wealthy are harder hit than what anyone expected due to the collapses and layoffs on Wall Street as well as the general malaise in many of the important industries that affect New Yorkers, like fashion, real estate, marketing and advertising.

Some of the price cuts, like the one on the late socialite Brook Astor's penthouse are astounding, and they may only be the beginning!

PRICE CUTTING HAS BECOME SAVAGE. The 14-room Park Avenue apartment of the late socialite Brooke Astor -- which Barron's highlighted in that earlier story after its price had been cut from $46 million to $34 million -- is now down to $29 million and probably has to be cut further.
But even with dramatic reductions like that, the inventory of unsold luxury housing is ballooning. Streeteasy.com, a Website that pulls together listings and insights from a variety of brokers and buyers, now shows 795 New York apartments offered for $5 million or more, up from 518 a year ago.

The entire article is worth a read, if only to keep up with the latest on the most luxurious apartments in Manhattan and what they're going for and will go for in the near future.

Check it out: Manhattan On Sale (Barron's)

Member Spotlight: Tzoc Construction

2009-02-18T07:40:00.003-05:00

Tzoc Hard at Work on a Paving Job

Introducing...Tzoc Construction of Queens, New York!

We'd like to take an opportunity to introduce you to our newest member on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory. Tzoc is a full service contracting firm that does work in all 5 Boroughs plus Long Island and New Jersey.

Some of Tzoc's specialties include:

Brick Work
Stucco
Siding
Window Installation
Tiling
Drywall
Painting
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling

To contact Tzoc Construction, you can call Alfredo at 718-350-4133

or

Visit Tzoc's Profile Page on cityhammer.com: Tzoc Construction

Special Report: What New Yorkers Need to Know About Asbestos and Renovations

2009-02-10T06:56:00.006-05:00

Today, the cityhammer blog brings you a special report about renovating a home and dealing with the potential problems caused by asbestos. We interviewed Joe Lederman of the Mesothelioma Cancer Center and were amazed at how much information is out there that many New York homeowners are probably not aware of.

New York Environmental Companies and New York Abatement Professionals

CH: How does a one know what the status or history of asbestos could be when they move into a new home?

JL: Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral used throughout the 20^th century in thousands of industrial and building applications. Making sure whether or not asbestos-materials are present is ideally the first step. Unfortunately, asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye. The home is not only a financial asset, but a place to live and raise your family. If a real estate agent is assisting you in finding the right home, you should ask your agent to verify if the property has any past history with asbestos or other health damaging materials. If a home was built prior to 1980, there is still the likelihood of containing asbestos. Material in good condition will generally not pose any health risks. Therefore, it is highly recommended that home owners leave any suspected materials un-disturbed, as this can cause its toxic fibers to become airborne.

Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of serious health ailments such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. These forms of asbestos lung cancers take the lives of thousands each year so taking steps to ensure you and your family’s safety is of the utmost importance.

CH: What do you recommend a homeowner do before embarking on a structural renovation that could lead to exposure?

JL: Prior to embarking on a renovation project, home owners should hire a certified inspector to determine if any harmful materials are present and what the best course of action should be. Your family’s protection comes with knowing what you are dealing with and handling it in a responsible manner. States also require a property owner to file a written notice at least ten days before remodeling or demolition has begun. If there is asbestos in the property, it should be removed by an abatement contractor who is trained in handling dangerous materials. The removal and disposal of asbestos is a finite process that requires professional care and protective equipment. Stating how workers will protect themselves and how the prevention of the release of asbestos into the community will not happen may also need to be stated.

CH: Do you have any statistics or approximations for how many homes in the US may still have asbestos in their makeup?

JL: It is difficult to estimate the true amount of homes that may still have asbestos-containing materials. In 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency found asbestos in at least 700,000 public and residential residences across the United States. More than half were estimated to contain damaged asbestos. Due to the widespread use throughout the last century, it is still probable for homes built before 1980 to have asbestos in their makeup.

Asbestos professionals can perform home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess the condition, and advise on what corrections are needed. Once again, material in good condition need not be sampled unless it is likely to be disturbed. An abatement contractor will repair or remove asbestos materials but is usually the last option chosen.

CH: Which building materials or products that have been historically used in homes are the most dangerous?

JL: Manufacturers of asbestos were aware of its toxic qualities, but continued the shipping of the product anyways, leading to millions of civilians, workers and military personnel being wrongfully exposed. Its qualities as fire resistant and durable made it one of the most sought out building applications in the world.

Asbestos was typically used as insulation, steam pipes or boilers, floor tiles, cement sheets, door gaskets, soundproofing, cement roofing, shingles, siding, automobile brake pads and linings. All of these products could potentially become damaged and release fibers into the air. The most difficult asbestos materials to locate include ceiling tiles, vinyl wall coverings, and popcorn ceilings. If any suspected asbestos is found, leave it un-disturbed until a professional can help determine the next step.

CH: How do the remodeling industry and its professionals protect itself from the possibility from asbestos-related sickness?

JL: Licensed abatement contractors will be familiar with the regulations in protecting you and themselves from exposure to asbestos. They must wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves to avoid any exposure. The area is usually isolated from the rest of the house by shutting down ventilation systems and sealing them. The materials should be removed in as large pieces as possible and places in disposable bags.

There are now many eco-friendly green alternatives to asbestos such as cotton fiber, cellulose and lcynene. Not only will these options provide a safe replacement to asbestos, they can even lower energy costs annually. These options should be considered upon removal of asbestos.

CH: What is the number one thing that people should know about Mesothelioma?

JL: Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive lung ailment which the only known cause is asbestos exposure. It accounts for nearly three percent of cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and has a latency period that can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. This compounded with many symptoms that appear in less serious conditions make it one of the more difficult illnesses to accurately diagnose. Mesothelioma treatment is limited to a handful of options, but new diagnostic procedures are being tested specifically for detecting diseases such as mesothelioma. Home owners should take all the steps necessary to avoid exposure.

CH: Thanks, Joe.

For more information, be sure to visit www.asbestos.com

Design Expressions of Long Island Wins Showroom Honors

2009-02-05T08:30:00.005-05:00

The Marvin Roundtop Window, Available at Design Expressions

Congrats to Design Expressions of Oceanside, New York on their recent honors from both the Long Island Building Industry and ProSales Magazine for Showroom Design Excellence.

The Design Expressions showroom is one of the best places consumers in the New York area for consumers to see design options and solutions in a real, interactive setting before they remodel. The 4000 square foot design and selection center was created by Horst Design International and is also home to the Marvin Design Gallery.

For more information, visit Design Expressions on the web:

http://www.design-expressions.com/

Member Spotlight: The Junk Pros

2009-02-03T06:57:00.007-05:00

There are certain jobs that, no matter how handy a person is, most people just wouldn't want to do themselves. Debris removal is one of them. If you're ever going to hire a pro for help, cleaning out out a home or garage after renovation or some type of disaster would be the time to do so.

Enter The Junk Pros, a uniformed crew who specialize in cleaning out estates, renovation sites, offices and homes, regardless of the condition they're in. In addition, they will do a heavy duty cleaning after they've removed the debris or junk you've specified. As the homeowner, you sit back and do nothing as Gary Monteil and Co. roll up with a truck and all the labor necessary.

We welcome The Junk Pros to the Debris/ Cleanouts section of cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, and hope that you will think of them when you're in need of a junk removal or clean-out anywhere in the New York area.

To get you started, click here and print the coupon shown for $25 off your first junk removal!

To check out The Junk Pro's full profile, click here: The Junk Pros NY

Member Spotlight: KT Design Solutions

2009-01-29T06:59:00.004-05:00

Today we welcome new member KT Design Solutions and it's principle Keita Turner to cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Keita launched her full service design firm in 2000 and has been the recipient of many honors and awards as well as mentions in the press. KT offers everything from custom furniture to cabinetry to interior design and renovations to project management.

Located on West 126th Street, KT Design Solutions serves Manhattan, Brooklyn Bronx, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, New Jersey and Connecticut.

To check out KT Design's full profile, click here: KT Design Solutions NY

Long Island Construction Loan Scam Busted

2009-01-27T06:57:00.005-05:00

Trust Me

When the news broke last night that Hauppauge-based Agape World was a Ponzi scheme, many Long Islanders said, "no, duh". Over the course of 8 years, CEO Nick Cosmo and his company convinced thousands of investors, mostly middle class people, to invest with him in bridge loans for construction projects. The payouts promised were usually 14% guaranteed.

Many of our friends and neighbors here in New York that were caught up in the scam were cops, firefighters, municipal workers and in retrospect, that should have been a clue, as anything with a 14% guarantee would have naturally attracted big money investors, not people who could barely afford to put $50,000 in.

Another warning sign that was ignored was the fact that many of the employees of Agape World who were listed as loan analysts and such were nightclub DJ's and bouncers (how idiosyncratically Long Island is that?).

Scams like these usually come along when there is a major demand for the ability to "invest" in a specific craze or bubble that people feel as though they are missing out on, and the Long island construction/ home improvement fever of the early and middle part of this decade was as bubblicious as any we've ever seen.

It seemed as though every town in Nassau and Suffolk Counties were going through a construction renaissance and everyone wanted in. Agape World claimed to be a vehicle for regular people to be involved in loan syndicates that financed these building projects.

The reality, however, was that many of the companies that were listed as loan recipients had addresses in the same building as Agape World. This, in addition to Cosmo's own criminal record for securities fraud, which he did time for in 1999, may have helped people avoid the allure of guaranteed returns.

The good news is that with the atrocious economy, many of these scams and schemes get exposed because the money to keep them going dries up. To paraphrase Warren Buffett, "When the tide goes out, you can see who is swimming naked".

Read the full story: Newsday Agape World

Top Rated New York Home Theater and Flat Screen Companies

2009-01-23T06:58:00.007-05:00

Home Theater by Bright Home Theater

With Super Bowl XLIII right around the corner (February 1st), now is an excellent time to get your den or living room ready for company. If you're not headed down to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, you can at least get your home entertainment system hooked up right for the game day.

From surround sound to flat screen installation, New Yorkers have many companies to call for a great home theater system and we've highlighted the top rated home theater companies listed on cityhammer.com below:

First up is East Village-based Bright Home Theater headed up by Kerry Bright and David DuPuy and serving New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. Bright has been designing and installing custom-built home theater systems since 2003.
Bright Home Theater's profile on cityhammer.com

Based out of New York City and Bellmore, Long Island, Electronic Concepts has been serving the Tri State area since 1986 and boast a staff of Level 1 Intsallers and Certified Designers.
Electronic Concepts profile on cityhammer.com

Dmitri of Brooklyn's Home Video & Sound has been doing speaker and home theater installations since 1996. Some of his services offered include plasma and lcd tv installation, speaker systems and projector set ups.
Home Video & Sound profile on cityhammer.com

Renaissance man Che Carlotti was one of the first pro's to join cityhammer and his USA Plasma TV Installation company has been well-reviewed from the get-go. Che is currently offering TV mounts for $150 and mounted hidden wiring for $190, these are some of the best prices in New York City.
USA Plasma TV Installation profile on cityhammer.com

New Rochelle-based NYC Plasma has been doing TV installations for New York since 2002. They also offer indoor and outdoor speaker systems and pre-wiring services for new and old homes.
NYC Plasma profile on cityhammer.com

Click the link for the complete list of New York Home Theater Companies listed on cityhammer.com.

Apartment Therapy Takes Over Bloomingdales Windows

2009-01-21T07:02:00.004-05:00

Designer Curtis Robertson's Window Comes Together

This is truly cool...head over to Lexington and 59th-60th if you're in the area over the next 2 weeks and you will see the installation of the Big Window Challenge, a partnership between Apartment Therapy and Bloomingdales. The AT gang is helping Bloomies with the launch of Furniture on 5 (5th floor) by showcasing the interior decor work and imagination of four different designers as they create a four complete rooms, each in a different style.

Maxwell posted some photos of the work in progress over at AT yesterday, and the rooms look amazing. We especially like the "Blogger's Office".

Here's a list of other great interior designers in Manhattan

Check out the pic's over at AT for a sneak peak of what the rooms/ windows will look like:
Big Window Challenge

Plumbing and Heating Companies in New York

2009-01-15T06:57:00.007-05:00

Photo by Pixietart

Cold enough for ya, New York? I know, I hate when people ask that question, too.

According to Mayor Bloomberg's office, the 311 lines have seen almost a 40% jump in New York City residents complaining about the heat in their buildings. City inspectors are making the rounds to make sure that landlord and building owners maintain an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees whenever the outside temperature is 55 degrees or below.

Well, today it's under 10 degrees, so we figured we'd give you some New York plumbing and heating companies to call if you're not getting the warmth you need during this arctic blast.

First up is Archer Plumbing and Heating, serving Westchester and the Bronx since 2003.
Visit their cityhammer Profile Page: Westchester and Bronx Plumber

Next, we've got Staten Island's Duo Plumbing & Heating Corp, who've been serving the Staten Island area since 1938.
Visit their cityhammer Profile Page: Staten Island Plumber

Lastly, here is BMG Plumbing, a family-owned and operated business that's been serving the Nassau and Suffolk county community for almost 30 years.
Visit their cityhammer Profile Page: Long Island Plumber

Visit cityhammer.com for a complete list of Plumbing and Heating Companies in New York

New York Bed Bug Invasion: Who To Call

2009-01-13T06:59:00.007-05:00

There are few problems more annoyng and disgusting to deal with at home in New York than a bed bug issue. According to The New York Sun, lately, call volumes to exterminators and pest control companies in New York have gone up, making bed bug solutions one of the few booming industries around these days.

Below is a list of some of the highest-rated NY exterminators in New York if you find yourself in the midst of a bed bug infestation or dealing with any other pest problem in your home.

First up is cityhammer.com Featured Member 4 Seasons Termite and Pest Control. Luis Pimental's 4 Seasons is ready for your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He handles everything from carpenter ants to carpenter bees.
Visit 4 Seasons Termite and Pest Control's Profile on cityhammer.com

Next we have Brooklyn-based Bugs Are Gone Exterminating, a member of the New York State Pest Control Association. Todd Pemberton guarantees that their work will leave you with "100 % peace of mind".
Visit Bugs Are Gone Extermination's Profile on cityhammer.com

For New Yorkers looking for a greener solution to their pest problems, check out Ecology Exterminating Service Corp, a company that's been servicing the New York metropolitan area since 1973. They work with "children, pets, and plants in mind".
Visit Ecology Exterminating Service Corp's Profile on cityhammer.com

Lastly, we've got T.P. Exterminators, a North Bellmore-based outfit that recently serviced cityhammer.com user Brian King, who says, "TP did the termite inspection on my new home 4 years ago and took care of a carpenter ant problem just 2 weeks ago.They were thorough, efficient and honest on both occasions."
Visit T.P. Exterminators' Profile on cityhammer.com

For the Main Exterminator Page on cityhammer.com, click here: NY Area Exterminators

To read the full article in The New York Sun, click here: Bed Bug Boom

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2009-01-08T06:57:00.005-05:00

The Real World Brooklyn Cast...Which One Will Cry First?

Anyone looking to do a little maintenance on their kitchen cabinets should go check out the newest video on Danny Lipford's site called Kitchen Cabinet Upgrade. You may know Lipford from his television appearances as a home improvement maven, but his website is equally interesting and informative. Here, he shows you how to repaint the cabinets and change the knobs, hinges or doors. For professional help with kitchen cabinets in New York, click Kitchen Remodelers in NY or Cabinetry in NY.

Are we really ready for a third installment of The Real World here in New York? Like it or not, last night was the premiere on MTV. Brownstoner's gave their Brooklynites a head's up, and right on cue, the snarking was hot and heavy on the comment board. If you live in Brooklyn, we're betting you'll be watching, if only to see some of your favorite BK landmarks serve as background for the travails of some of the most vain and insipid people ever put on television. Boy, are the Williamsburg hipsters gonna hate this!

Space Saving Tips and Freshness Tricks for New York Closets

2009-01-06T06:58:00.005-05:00

Closet by cityhammer.com member Clos-ette

Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
- Albert Einstein

At this time of year, before the official spring cleaning begins, it is very common for people to become unhappy with either he size, layout or condition of their closets. Many of us are in disbelief at how much stuff we've got packed in that is either hidden or inaccessible.

With this in mind, we've posted an article in the cityhammer Tips Section to help you love the closet space you have and maximize what you can do with it.

Read "Taking Advantage of the Closet Space You Have" and find the inspiration to get organized for the year to come.

To find professional help with closet remodeling in New York, visit cityhammer's Closet Organizers page or Built-in/ Carpenter page.

Best of the cityhammer blog 2008: October, November & December

2008-12-31T14:49:00.010-05:00

Editor's Note: As our readership has steadily increased over this, our first year writing the cityhammer blog, we thought we'd spotlight the posts from 2008 that we are most proud of and that we feel were the most interesting. Today, we cover October, November and December of 2008.

October:

We started the month off with a prediction that "Homemade" would be a big design trend for 2009. Then we introduced cityhammer featured member Bright Home Theater and Audio, one of the top rated home theater companies in New York. We also discussed the steps to take when hiring a New York General Contractor and talked about solutions for protecting granite counter tops.

November:

We shined the spotlight on a new cityhammer member, an interior design firm that specializes in kid's bedrooms and nurseries called Charm & Whimsy. Other highlights included a massive list of all the home improvement related organizations, regulators and trade groups as well as some bathroom remodeling tips for New Yorkers.

December:

In this, the final month of 2008, the cityhammer blog offered some ideas for holiday baby proofing and child proofing, took a look at some of the top-rated exterminators in Manhattan and reminded New Yorkers how great a closet makeover could feel.

Thanks to all of our readers and visitors in 2008. We hope that we've kept you informed, entertained and interested as we blogged about home improvement and design in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut thoughout the year. On behalf of the entire cityhammer.com staff, we wish all of our members, visitors and readers a happy and healthy New Year. Come back in 2009, we'll be waiting!

-Mitch Mayer, Staff Writer

Resale Value Resolutions Revisited

2008-12-29T06:57:00.007-05:00

New Years Eve in New York City's Times Square, Photo by Amelungc

Last December, the world was a different place, and many people were concerned with doing the right home renovations that would pay off in resale value. Fast forward 12 months and now the bigger concern in December of 2008 is being able to afford the home, period!

Looking at the specific resale value resolutions from last year, we'd say that only 3 are still important for this environment...

Resale Resolutions for 2009

I will revamp my wood or marble floors through screening and polishing, rather than tear them out to start over. While new floors are an important selling point, floors that look “as good as new” are equally coveted.

I will not waste time with projects that do not add much value or are not necessities. I will heed the research that shows that new windows, while possibly more energy efficient, add very little to the price of my home. The same goes for central A/C, which while infinitely more convenient, is very rarely recouped in a sale. A new swimming pool may keep my friends around this summer, but will certainly not increase my home’s sale price, and may even be a liability.

I will acknowledge that, in terms of resale value, nothing is more important than my kitchens and bathrooms. I will not ignore the power of adding new appliances to my kitchen and I will no longer put off that re-glazing and re-grouting project in the master bath.

Re-grouting a tile floor or spending a few hundred bucks to clean up a wood floor are jobs that are both practical in times like these, yet they also can may a big difference in both your own eyes and those of a prospective buyer.

Getting these little things done should be the priority if your home is on the market in New York or you plan to put it up in 2009. Find a cityhammer member to help with the job here:
New York Remodeling Companies

Best of the cityhammer blog: July, August & September

2008-12-26T07:03:00.013-05:00

July:

In July, we offered a glance at HGTV's new site, Frontdoor.com and talked about some bathroom wood flooring ideas. We also introduced a new Featured Member on cityhammer.com, California Closets of NYC and Westchester. We also posted some thoughts on how to sell a house in New York when it must be sold right now.

August:

The weather was red hot in August and so was the cityhammer blog as we posted a massive guide to kitchen cabinets for New Yorkers. There was a very informative post on the best temporary wall companies in New York, a Nicky Haslem profile, and a debate about the difference between using a storefront flooring contractor versus an independent. We even had time to throw in some dorm room decorating tips for the schoolbound.

September:

We were one of the first blogs in New York to break the Target Bodega Project and we talked about handymen in two posts, the first being a list of the best handyman companies in New York, the second being a list of tips for hiring a handyman. We showed off Design Expressions new Virtual Showroom online and did a special report on Attorney General Cuomo's major web initiative for recording complaints against New York General Contractors.
We also discussed some of the hottest trends in kitchen remodeling for 2009.

Tune in next Wednesday for part four of The Best of the cityhammer blog 2008 when we take a look back at the tips, trends and news from the October through December period.

-Mitch Mayer, Staff Writer

Closet Too Stuffed to Hide Presents? Consider Professional Closet Organizing in NYC

2008-12-22T06:52:00.006-05:00

Walk-in by cityhammer Featured Member California Closets NYC

This is a great time of year for going through your stuff and making some tough decisions, such as whether or not you're ever going to really wear that third winter coat you've been hanging onto since 2004. By mid-December, if you haven't rocked it yet, it'll probably hang in the closet forever.

There are lots of things we can do to get a the fresh start on 2009 that we all crave, and getting our @#$% together space-wise can play a big part in that.

Closet organizing tips are great, but if you're going to do something this important, especially in a New York apartment where every inch counts, why not do it right?

Below are links for some of the top rated closet organization companies in the New York area. Give yourself the gifts of order and cleanliness for next year and beyond!

Manhattan Closet Organizers

Brooklyn Closet Organizers

Queens Closet Organizers

Westchester Closet Organizers

Nassau Closet Organizers

Suffolk Closet Organizers

Best of the cityhammer blog 2008: April, May & June

2008-12-19T07:03:00.011-05:00

And thanks for reading the cityhammer blog this year, we appreciate our visitors and hope to add even more fresh and original content in '09.

April:

We got some remodeling ideas that pay off from New York Superbroker Noah Rosenblatt, who runs the excellent site UrbanDigs.com. We also put up a set of New York baby-proofing tips for the den and living room, then followed up with child and baby safety ideas for every room of the house.

May:

We talked about the furniture fire sale, and discussed how the industrial activity in China affects then prices we pay for furniture here in New York. We also dropped some Air Conditioning tips for New York and introduced New York to cityhammer member and closet organizer to the stars Clos-ette, who launched a blog and put out a book.

June:

June was a busy month on New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, as we launched a new category for New York Home Stagers. We also helped break a huge story detailing the house cleaning being done by the New York Department of Consumer Affairs in the general contractor industry. Other posts that month included some New York moving tips, a story on what the bankruptcy wave would mean for the New York remodeling business, and an in-depth discussion on the difference between interior designers and decorators, which was one of our most widely-read stories ever.

Tune in next Friday for part three of The Best of the cityhammer blog 2008 when we take a look back at the tips, trends and news from the July throughSeptember period.

-Mitch Mayer, Staff Writer

New York Child Proofing During the Holidays

2008-12-15T06:57:00.006-05:00

Custom Safety Gate by Allsafe Childproofing Inc. of Long Island

What with all the company over at the house, the the extra 6 or 7 extension cords in use to power the lights and the presence of presents that may or may not be age appropriate for all the little ones, the holiday season offers it's own share of child or baby safety challenges

New York Baby Safety Companies

In his excellent "The Fix" column in the New York Times, reporter Jay Romano points out some of the more dangerous areas of the holiday experience and some suggestions to neutralize these threats. Issues discussed include safety gates, toy chest lids and unprotected electrical outlets.

If you are hosting a holiday get-together with young children, or you are taking your little moppets on the road to a relative's home, this would be a good time to go over the New York baby proofing checklist in the tips section on cityhammer.com.

For a Baby Proofer in your area, use the following links:

Manhattan Baby Proofers Brooklyn Baby Proofers Nassau County Baby Proofers Westchester Baby Proofers Queens Baby Proofers

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-12-10T06:57:00.005-05:00

Church of the Holy Innocents, Tenderloin NYC Photo by Steve Kelley

So those flashy (pretentious?)showrooms for the newly built or still under-development condos in Manhattan and Brooklyn are not immune to the real estate/ credit crunch. Josh Barbanel of the New York Times has an article detailing the freezing of ad campaigns and the pulling of sales agents on projects that are at least a year away from completion. What will we miss more about visiting the sales showroom, the ability to scan the sign-in book for friends names or just the overall feel of a touch of Vegas right here in Manhattan?
Sales Showrooms Boarded Up

Who doesn't love a good set of way-to-specific moving tips? OK, well we do, so here's a guy who wrote up a set of suggestions if you're moving with a dog over on Gather.com. There's definitely some helpful stuff in there if you have a move in your future and want to keep the pooch safe and happy during the packing and shlepping phase. For a list of New York movers, visit cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.
Moving Tips for Dog Owners

We like when we see the word color spelled "colour", it lends an instant air of sophistication instantly, because after all, there's someone English involved in whatever I'm about to read. On the Colour Lovers Blog they are professing their love of the color Brown with a photo spread of interior decorating objects in that hue.
Brown is Back

New York Home Improvement Tips You May Have Missed

2008-12-08T06:59:00.006-05:00

As the cityhammer blog, an extension of cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, closes in on the end of its first year, we thought we offer our growing readership a chance to catch up on some of the helpful articles we've written to make home improvement shopping easier.

Here at cityhammer, we are big proponents of working with a licensed, experienced contractor or professional when remodeling the home. That said, homeowners should certainly begin any project with a pro by brushing up on the basics. There will be choices to be made, and it will be less stressful if you've done the homework before sitting with a New York interior designer or a local renovation specialist.

With that said, below are links to some of our "Cheat Sheets" on various home improvement topics. These articles will give you a sense of what options are available and why people pick one over another when designing their homes.

Enjoy!

The Temporary Wall Cheat Sheet

The New Bathtub Cheat Sheet

The Kitchen Cabinet Cheat Sheet

The Wood Flooring Cheat Sheet

The Finish Carpentry Cheat Sheet

And of course, if you wish to consult or hire a remodeling professional in the New York area, from Manhattan to Brooklyn to Westchester to Long Island to New Jersey...visit cityhammer.com today!

Visit cityhammer .com

Best of the cityhammer blog 2008: January, February & March

2008-12-05T07:55:00.013-05:00

And thanks for reading the cityhammer blog this year, we appreciate our visitors and hope to add even more fresh and original content in '09.

January:

We introduced New York to an artist of incredible talent who hand-paints artwork on tile for kitchens and bathrooms, cityhammer member Elizabeth M. Heid. We also offered a glimpse into how the color forecasters pick paint colors for year ahead and spotlighted another cityhammer member, Green Apple Maids, a New York City cleaning service.

February:

We offered a thorough dissection of Pier 1 Imports and how it has lost it's stature as home furnishings mainstay and it's status as a succesful business...and since then, things have only gotten worse for the company. We got a great write-up in the New York Times as part of the Small Business Summit and also introduced New York to cityhammer member Renovate NYC, a contractor and interior design company that specializes in brownstone remodels.

March:

Our best post from March offered a tip to make your kitchen sink more energy efficient for a very small dollar figure in a post we did on faucet aerators. We also gave New York a heads up on what they could expect from the forthcoming Better Homes and Gardens Living Green Tour.

Tune in next Friday for part two of The Best of the cityhammer blog 2008 when we take a look back at the tips, trends and news from the April through June period.

-Mitch Mayer, Staff Writer

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-12-03T05:27:00.004-05:00

The New York Stock Exchange in Better Times, Christmas '07 Photo by Epicharmus

Over on TV home improvement personality Danny Lipford's blog, you can find a great column by acolyte Jodi Marks on choosing tools as gifts this holiday season. Jodi's got some enlightening tips on going through the tools you may already have and replacing or upgrading everything from hammers to screwdrivers to tape measures for the handy ones you love.
Choosing Tool Gifts

We haven't really discussed mailboxes here on the cityhammer blog, but for our suburban readers in New Jersey, Long Island, Rockland, Westchester and the CT, here's something just for you...Remodelista's got a Ten Easy Pieces gallery with some really great looking mailboxes posted. And believe it or not, a new mailbox really can jazz up the look of your home's exterior pretty easily.
Mailbox Spread on Remodelista

The Property Grunt finds himself in the possession of some truly grim news for home improvement and furniture store chains. He's got a post up with quite a long list of possible and confirmed store closings and chain closings that includes the likes of Home Depot, Levitz and Pier 1. Hopefully 2009 will be a better year for the home decor and furnishings retailers.
Property Grunt Retail Deadpool

Top Rated Manhattan Exterminator Companies: Keeping New York Apartments Pest-Free

2008-12-01T06:57:00.007-05:00

Not this cute and cuddly in real life...

Nobody ever goes looking for a New York exterminator until they really need one...badly! While we all hope that we never will, let's face the facts, there are pests in every building in Manhattan and at some point, this presence will manifest itself when you least expect it. Keeping your kitchen crumb-free and reducing the moisture around your bathroom will help, but having a professional exterminator you can count on in NYC is your most important line of defense.

Below are some of the highest-rated exterminators on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory. If you're in Manhattan, from Harlem and the Upper East Side and West Side, down to SoHo, TriBeCa, Greenwich Village and Battery Park City, these are the guys who can get there and take care of business. Sorry rats and bugs.

First up is cityhammer.com Featured Member 4 Seasons Termite and Pest Control. Luis Pimental's 4 Seasons is ready for your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He handles everything from carpenter ants to carpenter bees.
Visit 4 Seasons Termite and Pest Control's Profile on cityhammer.com

Next we have Brooklyn-based Bugs Are Gone Exterminating, a member of the New York State Pest Control Association. Todd Pemberton guarantees that their work will leave you with "100 % peace of mind".
Visit Bugs Are Gone Extermination's Profile on cityhammer.com

For New Yorkers looking for a greener solution to their pest problems, check out Ecology Exterminating Service Corp, a company that's been servicing the New York metropolitan area since 1973. They work with "children, pets, and plants in mind".
Visit Ecology Exterminating Service Corp's Profile on cityhammer.com

Lastly, we've got T.P. Exterminators, a North Bellmore-based outfit that recently serviced cityhammer.com user Brian King, who says, "TP did the termite inspection on my new home 4 years ago and took care of a carpenter ant problem just 2 weeks ago.They were thorough, efficient and honest on both occasions."
Visit T.P. Exterminators' Profile on cityhammer.com

For the Main Exterminator Page on cityhammer.com, click here: NY Area Exterminators

Happy Thanksgiving From New York's #1 Remodeling Directory

2008-11-26T06:58:00.006-05:00

Kermit Runs New York...Photo by Calm

Today we wish New York, New Jersey, Westchester, Long Island, Connecticut and Rockland a Happy Thanksgiving from cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

To all of our members, visitors, advertisers and friends, we hope that the holiday is a joyous and restful one as we pull into the final stretch of 2008.

In December, look for "The Best of the cityhammer blog" as we highlight some of the best moments of this, our first year of posting about New York, remodeling, contractors, designers, trends and breaking news in the renovation industry.

Now, for you Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade fans, here's some advice: If you are looking for the full-blown parade experience, get to the west side of Central Park (between 77th and 81st Streets at Columbus) the night before to watch the inflating of the balloons.

For the more casual (sane) fan, you can try to get near the beginning at 77th Street and Central Park West, but get there early, way before the 9 am start time, if you expect to be anywhere near the front.

The parade will turn onto Broadway at Columbus circle, finally making a turn onto 34th Street past Macy's Herald Square and ending on 7th Avenue. Anywhere along this route would work, but try to avoid the area between 34th and 38th Streets as this is where the camera crews typically set up to capture the performances.

This is the 82nd year that Macy's has run the parade and we've not been disappointed yet. If you're going, dress warm and send us lots of pic's.

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading the cityhammer blog this year!

New York Remodeling Organizations You Should Know

2008-11-24T08:19:00.003-05:00

If you're a homeowner or renter in the New York Tri-State area, making sense of all the trade organizations, government regulators and professional designations can be very burdensome, particulary when you're trying to get a home improvement project off the ground.

Who's licensed by whom to perform what tasks and at what skill level? Find out here: ABC's of New York Remodeling

Over on the mothership, cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, we've posted a master list to help New Yorkers wade through the alphabet soup of acronyms.

The list is a work in progress and we will be adding to it over time. If you've got any that we're missing, let us know at info@cityhammer.com and we'll add them.

To see the list of home improvement organizations, agencies and designations...click here:

The ABC's of New York Remodeling

Securing Your Home With a New York Locksmith

2008-11-21T07:57:00.007-05:00

We're coming in to the holiday season, a time when people travel to visit family or in the hopes of getting some sun. This is a great time to make sure that your home is prepared and secured for an extended trip out of town. In many cases, the New York homeowner will want to consult with a locksmith or a security company to have that peace of mind before taking a trip.

Find New York Locksmith Companies

We were reminded of the importance of securing the home by Jay Romano's excellent The Fix column in the New York Times. In his article "Secure at Home When You're Not", we are told not to leave outgoing voicemails indicating that we're away and to never put the family's name on the mailbox, along with several other tips.

For the Full Story, Click Here: Secure Homes on the NYT

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-11-19T06:55:00.004-05:00

Washington Square Park Photo by J Bary

Having a traditional wall-mounted faucet may require you to hire a New York area plumber for the pipe work that's necessary behind the wall itself, but when you see this gallery on Remodelista, you may decide that its worth it. In the latest installment of their excellent 10 Easy Pieces series, you get to see a great variety of the wall-mounted faucet options out there for your kitchen or bath. We're partial to the American Standard version with the built-in soap dish...very cool.
Wall-Mounted Faucets at Remodelista

Big trouble in Little China last week as a building on the Bowery was evacuated by the Buildings Department last week. How bad would the conditions have to be for New York City officials to have to declare it unfit to live? Check out the New York Times' City Room blog for the sad details.
What's Going Down in Chinatown?

Is America facing a looming throw pillow crisis? According to Con Chapman of the Gerbil News Network, its very possible. He asks such existential questions as "why can't mom stop loading up every bed and couch with decorative pillows?" Feel like a good laugh, check it out for yourself.
Throw Pillow Crisis

Congratulations to Design Expressions and Contractor Express of Long Island, NY

2008-11-17T06:58:00.009-05:00

The Design Expressions showroom in Oceanside, Long Island just won an Excellence Award from ProSales Magazine and its easy to see why. With 4000 square feet of real products, not plastic, on display, both consumers and professional builders can use the scene to gain inspiration and make real decisions. Showcased in the store, you'll find:

"fully kitted-out kitchen exhibits, examine built-out exteriors showing siding, door, window and roofing options, and consider countless choices for millwork and architectural hardware. the showroom also features a new Marvin Design Gallery. With the exception of kitchen and bath cabinetry, all sales are installed sales done by Contractor Express. Professional design consultations also are part of the Design Expressions experience."

If you're contemplating a home improvement in Nassau County, or you're in the midst of a renovation and want to make sure you've chosen the right materials, Design Expressions is the right store to visit.

Visit Design Expressions on the web for more information: Design Expressions

Design Expressions is an advertiser on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory

Member Spotlight: Charm & Whimsy

2008-11-14T06:24:00.009-05:00

The Garden of Delight, by Charm & Whimsy of New York

Interior design for children's spaces...think about that for a moment. Many interior designers are talented and well-versed enough to design a playroom, child's bedroom or nursery, but how many of them specialize in it? Well, here's the good news, New York...we found one such interior design company and they have just listed on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Charm & Whimsy was founded in 1983 by Esther Sadowsky, an FIT graduate with a background in home furnishings and textile design. Based on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, the company designs spaces that are colorful, imaginative and one-of-a-kind for children and adults. They've done everything from full-floor playspaces to infant nurseries and have been featured on HGTV and CBS, as well as written about in Parents magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

On the Charm & Whimsy website, you can view a portfolio of some of the themed rooms they've created, including Bus Stop, A Cowboy's World, Sail Away, Ali Baba Meets Alice, Calling All Chefs and Clowning Around.

If you're in the market for a home decorator or interior designer who truly gets kids and has an eye for fun, visit the Charm & Whimsy profile page on cityhammer.com for contact information and more: Charm & Whimsy on cityhammer

You can also visit the company online: CharmAndWhimsy.com

Tips for Remodeling a Bathroom in New York

2008-11-10T06:56:00.003-05:00

You can probably leave the Korean novelty sign out of your remodel plans

Your house or apartment has two types of bathrooms, the ones that are just for you and your own relaxation, like a master bath, and the ones for guests and visitors, like powder rooms. In either case, renovating one of these bathrooms is not only a great way to get more enjoyment and serenity out of your time at home, it can also make a big difference in the value of your real estate if and when you choose to sell.

With that in mind, Staff Writer Mitch Mayer has written a great article with 8 ideas that can serve as your New York bathroom Renovation Checklist and its currently featured over on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory. There are ideas that involve some construction for those who own their house or apartment, and there there are some simpler ideas for renters to make improvements.

Read the article here: Better Bathrooms in New York

Below are some helpful links for finding a professional bathroom remodeling pro in your area:

Manhattan Bathroom Renovation

Brooklyn Bathroom Renovation

Nassau County Bathroom Renovation

Suffolk County Bathroom Renovation

Westchester County Bathroom Renovation

New Jersey Bathroom Renovation

New Yorkers Can Find Detailed Furniture Store Info on Yipit.com

2008-11-07T06:44:00.008-05:00

New York's #1 Remodeling Directory, cityhammer.com, started with the idea that there really wasn't a simple way for New Yorkers to find helpful information about contractors and remodelers. Sure, there were generic Yellow Pages-ish websites, but we felt we could offer ratings, reviews and local information that would be more helpful than just a name, number and address (does anyone really need a painter's office address?).

We wanted to share with our readers a very special website that has launched with the same purpose but for a different market: Yipit.com, which has cataloged every furniture showroom and store in New York and offers users the ability to search for stores by style, room and price.

Having spent almost a year visiting, categorizing and organizing, The founders of Yipit are now ready for their close-up.

Below is a brief discussion I had with one of them, James Moran, including his reason for developing the site, what went into it and some advice for New Yorkers who are looking for furniture in New York.

What made you start Yipit.com?

We were inspired from our frustration with local search results.
Searching for most any product online was painful, and rarely returned a nearby
store. Sometimes we resorted to a handful of big-box retailers, other times we
would just buy online. No category was this more true for than furniture.

It has a wide diversity of products that are not searchable online.So
we thought a lot about the problem, and what would be required to enable
product-level furniture search. The solution was difficult, but surmountable -
visit every store and catalog the types of products they sell.

After a year spent in development, we were able to index every showroom
in Manhattan.

How much time have you spent cataloging all the stores and showrooms and how many do you have on the site?

We visited 2,050 potential locations, and found all 368 consumer facing
furniture showrooms in Manhattan - all of which are on Yipit. The catalogging
process took a month, though we spent nearly ten times that amount developing
the logistical processes necessary to manage the feat.

What do you think is the best advice for someone shopping for furniture
in the New York area?

If you have a general idea of what you're looking for, then I recommend
first searching online.

For used furniture, use craigslist. For new furniture, search in your
neighborhood on Yipit for the product, price and style you want. For
example: furniture new york, discount furniture new york, etc. Outside of
Manhattan, you should visit the IKEA in Brooklyn or New Jersey. We wrote a
New Yorker's guide to shopping at IKEA.

If you're looking for ideas for furniture items, I would leverage the
fabulous local shopping media, including Apartment
Therapy, Racked,New York Magazine, and Furnication (our blog).

These and a host of other niche publications provide showroom reviews,
sales announcements and even ideas for city living interior design that will get
you started.

If you're looking for ideas for furniture items, I would leverage the
fabulous local shopping media, including Apartment
Therapy, Racked,New York Magazine, and Furnication (our blog).

To check out Yipit.com, click here: Local Furniture Search Site

To read Furnication, Yipit's Blog, click here: Furnication Blog

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol: Election Coverage Edition

2008-11-05T07:05:00.007-05:00

In a historic election, Barack Obama cruised to victory last night winning more than 300 electoral votes and carrying many states that Democratic presidential candidates rarely even put up a fight for. The New York Post has his victory speech in the Opinion pages.

Obama Victory Speech

Here's the Youtube video of the speech itself, live from Grant Park in Chicago with Oprah Winfrey and Jesse Jackson in attendance.

Youtube Obama Speech

The Miami Herald details the litany of issues the Obama administration faces starting from Day One. As idealistic as many of his supporters are, they will soon have to face up to the fact that fixing old problems like housing, energy prices, Wall Street and unemployment will probably occupy the better part of of his first two years.

Miami Herald on Obama's Inherited Mess

Member Spotlight: Bright Home Theater and Audio of New York

2008-10-31T06:39:00.006-04:00

Home Theater by Bright Home Theater and Audio of NY

With the winter chill in the air, we're coming up on the season when New Yorkers tend to spend more time around the house watching television. We're also getting to that time of year where we do more home entertaining and of course, that glorious overlap of the NFL and NBA (The Knicks actually won the home opener this year!). There's no better time than now to install your home theater and we know just the guys to do it.

Bright Home Theater and Audio has been selling and installing high end audio and video systems for homeowners in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut since 2003. They are based on Avenue A in the East Village, are fully insured, and have certifications for this work from the HAA, ISF, and RTI.

Whether you have guests over on game day and want to mount and install a flat screen TV, company coming for the holidays and you'd like speakers throughout the house for the party, or you just want to watch your favorite shows in style, this would be a great time to get a consultation. Bright Home Theater and Audio do all the designing, building and installation work themselves and they are happy to answer any questions you may have; just call and ask for Kerry Bright or David DuPuy or send them an email through our site.

To visit their profile page on cityhammer.com, click here: NY Home Theater

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-10-29T07:01:00.007-04:00

Fall in Central Park Photo by Nate Steiner

One of the toughest styles to pull off in home decor is the eclectic look. Sometimes its more about what you don't throw into the mix as opposed to trying to cover several design genres at once by cluttering a room with modern, antique, pop art and country items. When its done correctly (think Frasier Crane's apartment minus Dad's duct-taped Lazy Boy), the results can be exciting. Rochester, New York's Democrat & Chronicle has a great example and explanation of how a local NY interior designer named Blynn Nelson pulled it off in her own 1898 colonial house.
Blynn Nelson Goes Eclectic

One of our favorite design blogs, An Aesthete's Lament, sheds light on some of the uglier historical movements in home design, including a misguided attempt by designers to use slavery-era plantations as architectural inspiration and some truly ugly adjectives which have been used to describe color shades of fabrics and furniture.
Racism in Interior Design

If your living room isn't large enough for a full-blown wall unit, or you are setting up your entertainment and music stuff in a basement, bedroom or den, you can mount the TV on the wall or go with a media stand. But alas, not all media stands are created equal. Before you bring in the NY home theater pro (who will usually recommend wall-mounting a flat screen), consider some of these media stands shown at Apartment Therapy.
Media Stands on AT

Homemade Trend 2009: Recycled Shrimp Boat Sculptures from South Carolina

2008-10-27T07:00:00.006-04:00

Gump's Shrimp Boat: "Trendy is as trendy does"

One of our big predictions for interior design and interior decoration trends for 2009 is called Homemade, and one of the key components to the look is having the right art and objects that call out "authentic" and "handcrafted". New York interior decorators are no strangers to using architectural salvage, with many stores selling columns, stained glass windows, and objects that were once a part of a grander building or home. Even factory fixtures have found new lives in private homes once they've been restored and polished.

Now from the coast of South Carolina comes an artist producing sculptures from salvaged shrimp boats and the Beaufort Gazzette has published the whole story. The artist's name is Ray Lynwood Polin and he has used the wood and materials from several famous shrimp trawlers, including boats from the films Forrest Gump and The Prince of Tides, to create nautical sculpture that would fit right in to the Homemade design style we've been discussing.

All of his projects are made of recycled materials -- from driftwood to cypress, cedar and juniper pieces of old shrimp boats, from tomato stakes from Dempsey Farms and string used to tie shrimp nets to tin from old Sea Island structures.

Polin is getting the authentic feel by making use of his knowledge of shrimp boats from his childhood and is inspired by the trawlers themselves and the nautical way of life he grew up with.

To read the rest of the story, click here: SC Artist Recycled Art

A Solution to Protect Your Granite Countertops

2008-10-24T06:56:00.006-04:00

Those of you who have visited the mothership cityhammer site this month may have noticed banner ads from our new sponsor, The Granite Shield. We wanted to take a moment on the blog to discuss what Granite Shield Protection is and why you may be long overdue to check it out.

Protect Your Granite with the Granite Shield

The Granite Shield is essential for both aesthetic and health reasons. It is a lifetime sealing product that was invented in 2002 in California and it's recently been catching on in the New York and New Jersey area.

Unlike most of the commercial sealers on the market, which penetrate your granite countertops and are absorbed into the porous stone and away from the surface, the Granite Shield actually seals and protects the surface itself. Olive oil, acidic juices, water...all of the liquids that are regularly splashed onto the counter must be protected against. The Granite Shield forms a protective barrier to guard against these potential stains.

In addition, the health risks of allowing bacteria, mold, or other toxins to infiltrate the stone are reason enough to seal and protect a surface area where your families food is going to be in contact.

To Contact The Granite Shield, Click Here: Granite Shield Countertop Protection or Call Toll Free 1-800-594-8057

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-10-22T06:55:00.007-04:00

Texting on Grand Street Photo by Moriza

Having termite issues? Some poor soul over on the Brownstoner Forum is trying to get to the bottom of a termite and/ or structural issue and doesn't know if his exterminator has done more harm that good. Brooklynites who know better find experienced Brooklyn Exterminators on cityhammer.com.
Forum: Termites

Remodelista has a new Steal This Look post up, this time, you get the components of a Rustic Kitchen, including Ikea's Norden Dining Table and a decorative vintage apple crate for storage. If a rustic kitchen is your style, take a look...and for a list of kitchen designers in New York to help you achieve this look, click here: NY Kitchen Design.
Steal This Look: Rustic Kitchen

As surely as night follows day, in times of economic stress, people want comfort and tend to cling to things that remind them of the good old days. We recently highlighted a design trend called homemade that captures this zeitgeist here, and now from Charles & Hudson comes a post about how new homeowners are deliberately seeking out houses that have period architectural details as opposed to the typical McMansions that have been thrown up nationwide over the last 10 years. The Normal Rockwell feel can definitely offer a respite from our technology-saturated lives, so we get it...makes sense.
Period Homes in Favor

Back in the Day: When Men Were the Interior Decorators

2008-10-20T06:54:00.009-04:00

Yes, a Victorian Man may have put this together!

From the other side of the pond comes a question with about whether or not there was ever a time when men were in charge of decorating the home as opposed to their wives? You may be surprised to learn that in the Victorian era of the mid- to late 1800s, the man of the household was also the decorator and in charge of furnishings, wallpaper patterns and more.

In an article from the Times Online of London, Harry Mount explains that before women were allowed to put forth their own credit or actually own any property, their husbands were picking out chintz patterns and designing "manly" rooms like the study or library with deep red velvets and other classically masculine aesthetic touches.

Not until the 1920's, after the decline of the servant class, who typically visited the stores on behalf of the family, did women get to a point where they were the "purchaser of at least 90% of the furnishings for the home."

The article is filled with examples of prominent Victorian-era men and their involvement with home design. It was written to coincide with an exhibit on this period's decor opening at the Geffrye Museum in London's East End.

Here in New York, one would like to think that both the male and female members of the household have always had equal input during the design process, and that, indeed, there were times when even the most masculine took the time to study chintz patterns!

New York Interior Decorators and Designers

Read the Full Article: Times of London

Hot Deals on Furniture and Decor in New York City

2008-10-17T06:57:00.008-04:00

Somebody's got inventory to move!

After the 9th email we received in 2 weeks, we relented. Mitchell + Bob, you win. Uncle. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams are extending their 20% Off Special Order Sale through November 2nd. We're talking sofas, chairs, ottomans, sectionals and chairs. You pick the frames, fabrics and leathers, they'll whack a fifth off the price. The New York store is downtown on Lafayette at Kenmare Square. Please go there and buy something to relieve the pressure on our inbox.

Jensen-Lewis, a modern funriture store in NYC, invites you to enjoy their in-store promotion event called Norwegian Days. From today, October 17th through October 19th, visit, the store for Norwegian delicacies and have a seat in a Stressless chair or sofa. They also offer up to $1000 in Stressless accessories when you buy two chairs. Not sure what Norwegian delicacies are, we'll check Wikipedia later. Jensen-Lewis is located on 7th Avenue between 15th and 16th in Manhattan.

Visit the Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams Website

Visit the Jensen-Lewis Website

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol: Furniture Edition

2008-10-15T07:50:00.007-04:00

Custom Furniture by Sublime NY

Love it or hate it, Ikea has, for decades, been a go-to option for those looking for affordable and modern furniture that is as versatile as it is easy to put together. Regardless of what the trend of the day might be, Remodelista urges readers to consider an "Ikea Classic" with a great photo spread in their 10 Easy Pieces series. Find furniture designers in New York on cityhammer.com.
Remodelista on Ikea

Hang on to your hair, Newsday's Real LI is reporting that The Donald is about to launch a line of furniture, flooring and lighting. Donald Trump is launching the line in North Carolina, the Furniture Capital of America. So for those of you at home sipping on your Trump bottled water while your Trump steaks are sizzling on the grill, get ready to shop for Trump-inspired home decor in the near future. We wonder if everything will be gilded with faux-gold paint...
Trump Does Furniture

What are the pros and cons of hiring an interior decorator to help you shop for furniture? Zen Finance Advice poses the same question and gives us an idea of what the benefits are, including the ability to track down bargains. Find interior decorators in New York on cityhammer.com.
Save on Furniture with an Interior Decorator?

Interior Designers Wage a "Title" Fight in CT

2008-10-13T06:10:00.009-04:00

Interior Design "Title" Fight

20 years ago, Susan Roberts of Lyme, Connecticut was told by the state Department of Consumer Protection that she could no longer use the term "Interior Designer" when marketing her services. According to an article on TheDay.com, she's decided not to play along anymore and has filed suit with the aid of the libertarian legal organization Institute for Justice for the right to use the Interior Designer title.

This fight is happening all over the nation, as, according to the article, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) seeks to "expand the beachhead" of their titling into a full-blown licensing program. Getting licensed as a designer in CT is not prohibitively expensive, under $1000 for registration and exams, but for Roberts, starting out as a single mother 25 years ago made the process too difficult. After 2 decades of interior design work, she now feels that she should be able to advertise her services under the exact title of what she does for a living.

We at cityhammer.com are agnostic as to who's right and wrong here, but we find it interesting that now more than ever, in the age of Google, the importance of being able to use a title that also doubles as a search term, has sparked interior designer lawsuits across the country.

The interior-design titling law hasn't impeded her work, but it has interfered with her ability to find work, Roberts says, half-kiddingly adding that she could have been famous without the state's restrictions. She refused to call herself an interior decorator, which didn't describe what she could do, would limit her income and has become a pejorative in the design world.

”I have to call myself Susan Roberts, designer, or Susan Roberts, commercial, residential interiors,” she says. “I had to go through torture. It was intimidating. It makes you feel not as validated.”

We'll be watching with interest to see how the battle unfolds, and we hope that the ASID and the non-credentialed interior designers who work hard for their customers can find some common ground.

Click here for a list of Interior Design Pro's in Connecticut: CT Interior Designers

To read the rest of the article on The Day, click here: What's In a Name?

Hiring a General Contractor in New York State

2008-10-10T06:42:00.008-04:00

Dear cityhammer,
We've recently purchased an unfinished loft and are planning to do the renovations before we move in. That being said, we need to be in by year-end, and with the amount of work that needs to be done, my husband and I don't have that much time to choose a general contractor. What are the main things to be concerned with or check into before we hire the contracting company?

-LolaGirl56 in Manhattan

Dear LolaGirl56,
Even if your timing is tight, there are a few things that are crucial when hiring a general contractor in New York.

First, try to find a contractor with good feedback and customer reviews online, such as the contractors listed on our mothership site, cityhammer.com. Next, be sure to check the contractor's license and insurance out using resources like the local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, or the New York Department of Consumer Affairs.

When you've got a short list of gc companies, be sure to have the contractor out to the site to put together an estimate and help you come up with some ideas. Getting estimates over the phone for an unfinished loft renovation is as useful as getting a physical over the internet, so having the contractor come out to the space is very important.

One other must is an itemized bid, rather than just one round figure for the entire project. Itemizing allows the homeowner to track progress, understand cost overruns, and make on-the-fly decisions about priorities once the project is in full swing. For example, if your move-in day starts coming up fast and there are 6 things for the contractor to finish, the itemized list will tell you which ones can be attended to post-move (window treatments, fixture replacement) versus what would have to be done beforehand (life wood flooring).

Good luck with the loft renovation, send us the pics when its finished!

Click for More: Tips for Hiring a General Contractor

Highly Rated Contractors in NY

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-10-08T06:56:00.011-04:00

Bailout Protest down on Wall Street, photo by Ol Slambert

Westchester County and the Lower Hudson region in general boast some of the most beautiful private gardens this side of the English countryside. The Journal News and their companion site LoHud.com have interviews and pictures from some of the most spectacular gardens and their owners. Of the 5 gardeners profiled, we were most impressed with the thousands of bulbs planted by came the 92 year old "Grande Dame" of Westchester gardening Henriette Suhr of Chappaqua. Its never too early to start thinking about spring planting (they start advertising Christmas in August these days after all!)
LoHud Great Gardeners

Back for the 4th year, Apartment Therapy's Fall Colors Contest is in full swing with photos from every region of the country posted on their site. The rules are pretty loose, you must simply live in the residence and have images of your home that really show off your color choices and creativity. Work done by professional painters and designers is allowed as well, so let's see if New Yorkers can take some prizes. Up to $2500 in CB2 gift cards and AT Books are up for grabs.
Fall Color Contest 2008 on AT.

According to Red Dot Online, one of the hottest interior design trends in the world for 2008 and 2009 is the color White. Sleek and shiny whites are appearing everywhere from furniture to fabric. Red Dot discusses the continued influence on Apple's iPod launch of 2001 and cites the fact that in Germany, for example, 70% more white cars were sold this year compared to last year and the trend is still up. The only problem we can forsee with the white movement is our proclivity for Grey Goose and cranberry juice...it'll never come out!
Red Dot on the White Trend

Massive Tiffany Lamp and Decor Exhibit on Long Island

2008-10-06T06:57:00.005-04:00

Grape Library Lamp from Tiffany Studios New York

Over the weekend, Ben Genocchio of the New York Times gave us some background on Louis Comfort Tiffany, scion of the famous Tiffany jewelry family who eschewed the family business in favor of being an artist. The article will be very helpful if you plan to visit the Nassau County Museum of Art to check out “Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art”, a new exhibit that will run through January 4th 2009.

The museum has 45 Tiffany lamps on display courtesy of the Neustadt Collection, as well as lamp-making and glass manufacturing displays. There are also some examples of late 1800's Gilded Age art and furniture which clearly draw the connection between Tiffany and the aesthetic of his time.

The article mentions some interesting trivia, such as the fact that Tiffany and a group of friends started an interior design business in New York in 1881 that took on commissions from such high profile projects as Mark Twain's house in Hartford, Connecticut and the Chester A. Arthur White House in D.C.

The Nassau County Musuem of Art is located at 1 Museum Drive in Roslyn Harbor (use Northern BLVD) and they've got a website for more info at www.nassaumuseum.com.

For a List of Interior Decorators in Nassau County, Click Here: Nassau Decorators

Read the Full Article on NYT: Times on Tiffany

Hot Interior Design Trend for 2009: Homemade

2008-10-03T06:58:00.008-04:00

Etsy Can Help You Decorate "Homemade" for 2009

We'll see if this one makes it to the luxury buildings of Manhattan, but one of our big predictions for interior design in 2009 is the emergence of the "Homemade" look.

Achieving the Homemade look will hinge on your color choices (think natural, earthy colors without any bright shades) and your texture proclivities; homemade items are neither minimalist nor are they slick, they are cluttered and mottled and shopworn and are thus all the better for these very flaws and imperfections. One great place where anyone can go to find a vast selection of homemade decor stuff would be Etsy.com, a site you can get lost for hours on.

We think the homemade trend may stem from the need for comfort in times of duress and hardship like these, which we can collectively thank California and Florida real estate speculators and reckless mortgage underwriting for. The layoff totals are piling up to astounding numbers, the high energy prices made our utility bills come in extra-thick envelopes all summer, and the tone on the evening news or the cover of our local newspapers is getting more election-ugly and recession-despairing each day.

After the 9/11 attacks, we saw a similar trend in this country, called nesting, which led to booming sales for home decor stores even as consumers pulled back from other spending. The explanation was that if people are going to travel, or even venture outside less, then they would at least "feather their nests" for the time being.

The same way a knitted sweater or a home-cooked meal can comfort you when you come in from the storm, so too can the homemade decor trend when you get back from a day of work in an economy like this one. Tune in next week to the cityhammer blog for more details on this design trend as well as others we expect to see in 2009.

For a New York interior decorator who can help you get this look for your house or apartment, click here: New York Interior Designers

Visit Etsy.com

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-10-01T07:02:00.009-04:00

Photos from AT

Certain facets of Japanese culture freak us out, like talking shrimp cartoon characters, vending machine shopping and now, from Tokyo, comes a home design scheme that you have to see to believe. Apartment Therapy LA has the story and some eye-popping photos of something called the "Reversible Destiny Lofts". The architecture features outlets and switches in hard-to-reach places, uneven floors, strange entrance and exits, and colors straight out of your most recent nightmare about that time you got separated from your parents at a carnival. Good luck with all that, Tokyo residents.
Apartment Therapy on Tokyo Loft Craziness.

Discussions about real estate are so 2006, like watching Friday Night Lights or listening to Fergie. One day, however, the subject will become palatable again. Over at the Comitini Blog, they've posted the definitive explanation of the difference between Townhouses, Co-ops, Condos and Cond-ops. For those new to or interested in the Manhattan real estate world, check it out and break some of your misconceptions.
Cominiti on NYC Real Estate Terms

Last but not least, cityhammer.com member and closet organizing maven Clos-ette is looking for 2 interns. If you or someone you know is interested in luxury design, real estate and VIP sales, email your resume to Clos-ette here: Contact Clos-ette
Clos-ette Internships

Take a Tour of the Design Expressions Virtual Showroom

2008-09-29T07:12:00.006-04:00

The Virtual Showroom by Design Expressions

These days, lots of stores have e-commerce websites to allow you to shop from home, but how many actually build a "Virtual Showroom" to give customers the actual in-store experience online? Well, we're happy to report that Oceanside, Long Island's home improvement superstore, Design Expressions, has done just that.

The Virtual Showroom is an easy-to-use, product-loaded shopping experience that will not only make you feel like you're in the store's aisles, but will help you find what you're looking for in the comfort of your own home.

Visit the Design Expressions Virtual Showroom

Here's how it works...You first pick one of three sections to shop in:

Windows & Doors (featuring Marvin, Integrity and Infinity products)

Roofing, Siding, Decking & Millwork

Kitchen & Bath

Next, you can click each section in the blueprint to see an image of the section as it looks in-store along with product previews, details, and information. When you have found the items or styles you are interested in, you can "favorite" them into your own list.

Once you have built your list of products you are interested in, you can print it directly from the Design Expressions website so you're ready to shop.

Visiting Design Expressions is an experience unto itself, but having the Virtual Showroom at your fingertips is the next best thing, so check it out today!

Click Here to Launch Showroom Tour

Visit or Contact Design Expressions:

389 Atlantic Ave. Oceanside, NY 11572

Phone: (516) 764-6600 Fax: (516) 764-5016

www.design-expressions.com

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-26T06:44:00.008-04:00

Is Swingtown Inspiring the 70's Design Wave? Is He Serious with that Mustache?

Are the Seventies back? Based on the items and styles arriving this week at the Boston Design Center for the 2009 furniture design report, the Boston Globe sure thinks you could make that case. The evidence? How about the Kirk Brummel-designed mushroom wallpaper from textile company Brunschwig & Fils? White-on-white monochromatic looks, open weave pieces made of metal or leather, color shades of "juicy berries" like magenta and red, and "cool neutrals" are everywhere. The reporter chalks the seventies influence up to the TV show Swingtown, but seriously, is anyone really watching that?
Boston Globe on the 70's Design Comeback

Tragedy struck at the Ebbets Field Houses in Brooklyn recently when a handyman was arrested in the beating death of a churchgoing woman in her home. This is a terrible tragedy and the Daily News story just reinforces the fact that you must do your homework on any handyman or general contractor prior to hiring. In this case, the handyman was a building regular, but the fact remains that researching handymen is a must. You can find a rated and reviewed New York Handyman on cityhammer.com and here's a guide to choosing a New York Handyman.
Daily News Reports Handyman Arrest in Brooklyn

On Tom Kraeutler's AOL Home Improvement column this week, he fields a question from someone attempting to sell their home with a black mold problem in their attic. Tom gives some good advice and stresses the need for an environmental clean-up before the attempt to sell is made, as mold is a deal breaker. New Yorkers who know what's up find mold remediation and environmental pro's on cityhammer.com.
Tom's Money Pit: Black Mold

Special Report: Attorney General Cuomo Sets Up Website to Record Consumer Complaints Against New York Contractors

2008-09-24T07:00:00.004-04:00

From nyknowyourcontractor.com

In response to the huge influx of unqualified contractors and the accompanying deluge of unsatisfied customers over the last few years, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has set up a website to field and record consumer complaints about New York's general contractors.

Against the backdrop of "housing instability" leaving many homeowners in the same houses and in need of repairs, Cuomo's office has launched NY Know Your Contractor, a region-by-region database of all licensed contractors in New York along with a record of complaints against them from consumers who were unhappy with the work performed.

The New York AG has received over 1550 complaints against home improvement contractors since the beginning of 2007.

Here at cityhammer.com, our whole purpose in building New York's #1 Remodeling Directory from day one was to provide New Yorkers with a place to go to find highly rated New York contractors, designers, painters, plumbers, architects and so forth.

Having a government website where people can go to to an extra bit of homework sounds like it will be helpful, provided the government is fair to the professionals themselves. There are always bad apples out there, as well as the cream of the contractor crop, and we hope this helps the reputable general contracting companies in New York rise to the top.

There is also a link on the site for a contractor who believes the allegations made on the site are false or of an exaggerated nature to refute them, and we hope they get a fair opportunity to set the record straight in these situations.

For consumers who have been taken advantage of or have been the victims of shoddy construction in their homes, there are links to each region's Office of Consumer Affairs.

We remind all New Yorkers to do their homework on any home improvement company before hiring and to let your neighbors know not only when there are problems, but also to post favorable reviews on sites like cityhammer.com when the work is done well and exceeds their expectations.

Visit nyknowyourcontractor.com for more details

Tips for Hiring a Handyman in New York

2008-09-22T06:56:00.006-04:00

Anyone remember Dwayne F. Schneider, TV's Favorite Handyman?

Let's keep it real...some of the smallest household improvement tasks can be the most difficult to find the right person for. In a metropolitan area the size of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, surely there must be thousands of handymen, right? Unfortunately, with that many possible candidates, you also increase the odds of coming across someone who is sloppy, too expensive, or even downright negligent.

This is one of the key reasons we developed cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory to begin with!

Tips for Hiring a New York Handyman

Staff Writer Mitch Mayer has just posted the quintessential guide to finding, researching and hiring a handyman in the New York area in the Tips Section of cityhammer.com and it features answers to some of the most important questions you should ask before the work begins, including:

What does a handyman do?
What types of handymen are there?
How much should you pay a handyman?
What kind of tasks is a handyman qualified for?

This is a great time of year to get those creaks, cracks and wobbles repaired, as you will be spending more and more time at home as the weather turns cold. Before you go looking for help around the house, make sure you bring yourself up to speed and, of course, check cityhammer.com for a highly rated handyman in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Jersey or Connecticut.

Find a Handyman in New York

I Want to Hire a New York Handyman...Now What?

Janovic's Fall Inspiration: Bedroom Redesign

2008-09-19T07:06:00.005-04:00

Bedroom by Jamie Gibbs and Associates

If you've been living in the New York area for a decent amount of time, chances are you've been in a Janovic store, either to grab a can of paint for a quick touch-up or for a more involved painting or window treatment project. Janovic's website also offers great tips for New Yorkers from interior design experts and this fall, they've got some inspirational ideas for the bedroom.

Interior Designers in New York

"Create a Sensuous Bedroom" features interior designer Elaine Ryan and offers a ton of ideas to decorate the one room that you spend most of your time in when you're at home (though during much of that, your eyes are closed!)

Ryan offers tips on incorporating more plush fabrics other than sheets, making sure the bed is the focal point of the room, using frothy colors, eschewing geometrics and plaids for the more appropriate floral patterns, and incorporating furniture for two.

The most interesting tip is related to how your bedroom lighting could actually downplay the cellulite on the occupant's body...yeah, that's a new one on us also...

Want to dispel cellulite, make yourself look thinner and bring a rosy glow to your cheeks? It’s as simple as a lampshade lined with pale pink or rose-colored fabric. Another trick Elaine suggests is to place a small lamp with rose-colored bulbs at the opposite end of the room from the bed. And make sure you install dimmers or rheostats so you can easily lower and manipulate the lighting level.

Anyway, if you've got the urge to get a new look going for the bedroom, be sure to check out Janovic for the full article: Bedroom Ideas from Elaine Ryan

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-17T06:59:00.005-04:00

Manhattan Bridge Photo by Bob Jagendorf

Save your sawdust? Charles & Hudson is advocating just that today with their 17 Uses for Sawdust post. The uses they list for sawdust range from the practical (fill holes and defects in wood) to the absurd (mix it with white paint to make fake snow). Either way, worth a look, especially if you've recently done renovations that have involved any kind of carpentry.
17 Uses for Sawdust

There are designers and then there are DESIGNERS, and every once in a while you get a chance to see a New York City residence get transformed into a masterpiece. We believe this gallery on Remodelista fits that description. The interior designer in this instance is Fernlund + Logan and they've turned this NY Townhouse into a mod wonderland using both classic and cutting edge pieces throughout.
Fernlund + Logan Townhouse

As the weather in many parts of the country gets bananas around this time of year, look no further than Apartment Therapy for tips on restoring your home after a flood or major water damage event. Included is a great disinfectant solution.
AT on Repairing Flood Damage

Prepare Your Home for Fall: 3 Simple Tasks

2008-09-15T06:55:00.007-04:00

Junior's Cheesecake of Brooklyn Gets Ready for Fall (Photo by X-Eyed Blonde)

If you're like me (or most dogs), you can smell it in the air when Autumn is coming. If not, you can certainly notice the earlier sunsets. There are tons of items we should be attending to in our homes to prepare for fall, and there won't be time for all of them, but here are three tasks that should definitely be high on the list.

1. Cleaning Gutters: You can get someone to do this is an afternoon, or simply get up on a ladder and rake the debris toward yourself with a garden hoe. Have an open trash can under you for the debris to fall into. The last and most crucial step would be to run your garden hose down the gutter and be sure there are no clogs in the downspouts, because if so, it won't matter how clean your gutters above are. For assistance, contact a New York Roofing Company.

2. Window Check: We all open and close the windows during the summer for one reason or another and what happens is that dirt and dust collect, preventing the closed window from forming as tight a seal as you'd want to prevent excess heat from escaping. This can drive up your utility bill more than you think. Be sure to thoroughly wipe down those areas where the summer's dust has collected, and while you're at it, take a look at the weather stripping around the windows, as this may be a great time to replace a worn down section. For assistance, contact a New York Window Company.

3. Winterize Pipes: Everyone talks about winterizing their pipes, but most people only realize the need for this when they get a call down in Florida that they have to come home because a pipe froze and then burst. Trust me, this is easily preventable. We recommend using a licensed plumber to insulate and check your hot water heater and pipes, especially if its been a few years. For assistance, contact a New York Plumbing Company.

The Hottest Trends in Kitchen and Bath Design are Modern and Intelligent

2008-09-12T06:55:00.007-04:00

The Dining Desk by Poggenpohl/Draenert

What are the hottest trends in Kitchen and Bath design right now?

Judging by the trade shows this past spring, Modern, with a dose of intelligent design is definitely what's happening right now. Think minimalist cabinets, accessories made of glass and unframed appliances. Also of note were the light-as-air retractable fixtures as well as the fixtures that were finished with gold or even black.

For New York, New Jersey or Connecticut Kitchen and Bath Pro's, Visit cityhammer: New York Kitchen and Bath Contractors

For a look at the best kitchen and bath fixtures, sinks, light fixtures, appliances, finishes, materials and looks for 2008 into 2009, we found a great slideshow on PointClickHome, the online site for Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home and Home Magazine.

PointClickHome.com has just posted their Kitchen and Bath Sourcebook: Fall 2008 on their site. 49 slides of full-color kitchen and bath hotness to show you what the best-dressed rooms will be wearing this winter. Enjoy!

Kitchen and Bath Sourcebook: Fall 2008

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-10T06:56:00.007-04:00

NYC Subway Concert Photo by Moriza

Ok, Gossip Girl fans, and we know you exist based on the ratings...here's your opportunity to get the design looks of your favorite show's interiors. From faux-marble flooring to wallpaper to quilts, the CW has graciously allowed CasaSugar to post a slideshow with each image from the show accompanied by the product used on the set. Serena would be proud of your efforts to decorate your home just like the family's decorator did!
CasaSugar Breaks Down the Gossip Girl Design Look

The prolific Tom Kraeutler has posted an excellent Q&A on his AOL Home Improvement Tips blog focused on the home improvement projects that offer the best return on your investment. The host of The Money Pit suggests concentrating on smaller improvements in the current environment like reconfiguring storage space. He also points readers to Remodeling Online's 2007 Cost vs. Value Report.
Tom's Advice on Remodeling Investments

Minimalism in the bathroom is one of the most enduring design trends extant and Remodelista's got a great gallery showcasing the Dutch version of it. The pic's are from a photographer named Rene Mesman and really make you long for the Dutch Minimalist look in your own home. For help getting this look, visit this list of Bathroom Remodelers in NY on cityhammer.com.
Dutch Minimalist Bathroom

Top Rated New York Handyman Companies

2008-09-08T06:39:00.008-04:00

Deck by Greg Lines, Southampton Handyman

In our last apartment building, we had the nicest maintenance man in the world. Anytime something needed repairing, hanging, adjusting or replacing, Mr. Maintenance came up promptly and did the task with a smile. Which was great, except of course, nothing was done correctly. Light switches were upside-down, shower heads were loose and picture frames were mounted slightly askew.

Finding a great handyman in the New York area is worth the search, and so with this in mind, we thought we'd spotlight some of the highest-rated handyman services providers in New York on cityhammer.com.

First up is Johnny Brennan of midtown Manhattan, who specializes in all handyman tasks large and small. Johnny's got 6 very positive customer reviews and can do everything from furniture assembly to electrical maintenance to home office setup.
Johnny Brennan "New York City Handyman Services" Profile on cityhammer.com

Next we have Chelseahandyman's Alex Skreli, who's been in business since 1999 and can handle everything from painting to plumbing to full apartment remodeling. Alex has garnered positive reviews for his work from both high-end real estate investors and the owner of Luxe restaurant. Chelseahandyman's Profile on cityhammer.com

Unless you have an advanced degree in Heegan Haagen, putting together modular furniture from Sweden is no easy task. Never fear, because Adam Tate of Furniture Assembly Service and More of Edgewater, NJ can assemble stuff from everywhere, including IKEA, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Pottery
Barn Kids, Bombay Company, Staples, Target, Office Max, and Office Depot. They
service the entire New York and New Jersey metro area.
Furniture Assembly Service and More's Profile on cityhammer.com

Lastly,
whether you live in the Hamptons full-time or just have a summer share in need
of some repair after a wild summer, Greg Lines the Southampton Handyman is your guy. He's new on cityhammer without any reviews so far, but he's posted some great pic's of the decks he's built and some painting and power washing work as well.
Southampton Handyman's Profile on cityhammer.com

For the main list of New York Area Handyman Services, visit: NY Handyman

Target's Cool New York City Bodega Project

2008-09-05T06:56:00.013-04:00

Bullseye, The Target Mascot Dog

We're way over that sarcastic thing people do when they pronounce Target with a French accent (Tar-Szay - rhymes with "day") and have come to respect the discount chain's emphasis on savvy design and fashion-forward merchandising. If you're down with Target too, don't miss the limited-time only Bullseye Bodega event taking place in a Manhattan neighborhood near you from September 12th through September 15th.

It seems Target will be opening 4 bodega-type stores to showcase 22 of it's design partners and give consumers a glimpse of some of the newer lines that haven't yet launched to generate buzz.

Designers for the home whose products will be available include:

Thomas O'Brien --
esteemed interior designer known for melding modern and vintage products


Isabelle de Borchgrave --
Belgian-born paper artist and painter


Michael Graves --
famed architect and first Target designer partner


Christiane Lemieux (DwellStudio for Target) --
textile designer who has fused modern design with luxurious details
to create collections in nursery, bedding, kitchen and tabletop


Rachel Ashwell --
interior decorator known for combining English elegance with a relaxed
California vibe


Victoria Hagan --
respected interior designer known for creating chic and timeless home decor


John Derian --
decoupage artist celebrated for quirky vintage designs.
This limited-time-only collection will be available
September 7 through October 26, 2008.


Sean Conway --
renowned garden designer known for creating outdoor spaces that bring
great design to life one stylish patio at time

The Target Bullseye Bodegas will be open from 10 am until 10 pm in the following locations:

Midtown: 101 57th Street at 6th

Union Square: 813 Broadway between 11th and 12th

SoHo: 489 Broome Street between Wooster and West Broadway

East Village Bodega: 325 Bowery at 2nd

For a list of Interior Designers and Decorators in Manhattan,
Click Here: Manhattan Decor

Visit Target's Bullseye Bodegas Page: Target Design

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-03T08:37:00.010-04:00

1-800-GOT-JUNK truck in New York

First up, let's wish Charles & Hudson good luck as they relocate from New York City to the west coast. The dedicated blogging team at C&H is currently on the hunt for a home in Northeast Los Angeles, armed with only their Garmin 650 GPS unit and a burning desire to continue bringing us some of the best interior design and home improvement ideas out there. Good luck, guys!

Charles and Hudson Head West

We've written about the beautiful India Hicks, host of Bravo's Top Design, recently and now USA Today has as well. The message India gets across in the article is that taste in design has nothing to do with money. We'd agree, and would also add "but money sure doesn't hurt!" The piece also mentions the launch of her Island Nights collection of beauty and fragrance products for Crabtree & Evelyn.

Design Advice from India Hicks

Yet another Forum question on Brownstoner about how to find a Rubbish Removal Company in New York. When will they learn? You can find debris, cleanout, rubbish removal and junk pick-up pro's listed on cityhammer.com in the Debris/ Cleanouts setion.

Clueless on Brownstoner Forums

New Yorkers Can Help the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

2008-09-02T07:43:00.008-04:00

Gustav: Ugly name, ugly storm

Now that Hurricane Gustav seems to be dying down, its important to remember that over 1 million New Orleans residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. On top of that, Tropical Storm Hannah is gaining intensity on it's way to Florida with several of her menacing siblings close behind.

In what is shaping up to be the most active storm season since 2005, now is as good a time as any to give what you can to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.

For many of us here in the New York area, our closest brush with a hurricane was in the 1980's during Hurricane Gloria. There was some real damage, but for most it was just a question of when LILCO would have the light's back on.

The Distater Relief Fund channels your money to where its needed most, and right now, the residents of the Southeast are counting on our help if that need arises.

Here's a link to their donation form: American Red Cross